Film Review: Edward Scissorhands

Edward Scissorhands (1990) 105min

(Figure 1: Edward Scissorhands Poster)

One of the most diverse 'Beauty & the Beast'  inspired romantic fantasy films by Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands (1990) features a fictional man known as Edward; an unfinished invention left with only scissors for hands. Like many other Beauty & the Beast novels, he falls in love with a fair haired 'Beauty' who ends up caring for him and his safety.

(Figures 2 & 3: In-film - Town & Gothic Castle)

The film is set in a very unrealistic, artificial world where everything appears 'perfect' with nothing out of place. As Roger Ebert states in his review, ''The movie takes place in an entirely artificial world, where a haunting gothic castle crouches on a mountaintop high above a storybook suburb, a goofy sitcom neighborhood where all of the houses are shades of pastels and all of the inhabitants seem to be emotional clones...'' (Ebert, R. 1990) Similar layouts have been influenced and replicated within the 'Retro' style of both fashion and architecture of the 1950's. 

(Figures 4 & 5: Edward and Cesare)

Speculations believe that the film 'Edward Scissorhands' is Burton expressing his past in a very literal and sincere approach. As Josh Larsen says in his own review,  ''...perhaps the cinema's most enchanting parable about the misunderstood and alienated artist.'' ( Larsen, J. 2008) is very strong in terms of the makeup we see the actor Johnny Depp wearing that certainly dramatizes his features. Paralell to this is the murderer 'Cesare' from the French, silent film 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'. This creates a very simple, lost and emotionless being which, to some people, evokes feeling 'sorry' for his character.

(Figure 4 & 5: Edward's Scissorhands & Dog Houses' Scissorhanded Zombie)

Another similarity can be seen between Edward's hands and the female Zombie barber from the film 'Dog House'. Throughout the films both characters can be seen twitching their hands and walking in a robotic like fashion. As Peter Travers says in his film review, ''Burton's richly entertaining update of the Frankenstein story'' (Travers, P. 2001), Edward is truly the gentle modern monster.

To conclude, 'Edward Scissorhands' is a very deep and emotional modern 'Beauty and The Beast' story that allows any viewer to connect and familiarize themselves with every main character. The cinematography enhances the film beyond what many may first expect to which is a film that will change and enlighten your imagination.

Bibliography:

Ebert, R. (1990) Edward Scissorhands Film Review. 
URL: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/edward-scissorhands-1990 (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Travers, P. (2001) Edward Scissorhands Film Review. 
URL: http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Larsen, J. (2008) Edward Scissorhands Film Review. 

URL: http://www.larsenonfilm.com/?Search=Edward%20Scissorhands%20Winston&AllWords=on (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Illustration List:

Fig. 1. Edward Scissorhands Poster (1990) From: Edward Scissorhands Directed by: Tim Burton. [Poster] United States. 20th Century Fox.
At: http://leluxemannequin.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/edward-scissorhands.html (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Fig. 2. Edward Scissorhand Gothic Castle (1990) From: Edward Scissorhands Directed by: Tim Burton. [Film Still] United States. 20th Century Fox.

Fig. 3. Edward Scissorhand Town (1990) From: Edward Scissorhands Directed by: Tim Burton. [Film Still] United States. 20th Century Fox.

At: https://www.artsjournal.com/aestheticgrounds/pink_project_in_new_orleans_br/ (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Fig. 4. Edward (1990) From: Edward Scissorhands Directed by: Tim Burton. [Film Still] United States. 20th Century Fox. At: http://watchingthedead.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/doghouse-review.html (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Fig. 5. Cesare (1920) From: Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Directed by: Robert Wiene [Film Still] Germany. Delca Bioscop. At: http://tinemarie03.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/awake-cesare/ (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Fig. 7. Edward's Scissorhands (1990) From: Edward Scissorhands Directed by: Tim Burton. [Film Still] United States. 20th Century Fox. At: http://skymovies.sky.com/edward-scissorhands/gallery-edward-scissorhands (Accessed on 09.11.2013)

Fig. 8. Dog Houses' Scissorhanded Zombie (2009) From: Dog House Directed by: Jake West. [Film Still] United Kingdom. Sony. At: http://watchingthedead.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/doghouse-review.html (Accessed on 09.11.2013)