edward scissorhands It’s Tim Burton’s crowning achievement and marks a major departure from his comedy- or action-oriented films, which lend themselves to the quirky aesthetic he’s known for with deep emotional gravitas. It was also Tim Burton’s first time working with Johnny Depp, who would go on to star in seven of his films.
Depp plays a young man with scissors who is taken in by a kind Avon lady. He performed with minimal dialogue and an unassuming demeanor, like that of a silent film actor. In frequent close-ups, Johnny Depp conveys many messages through his sad brown eyes: confusion, childlike innocence, broken soul. Winona Ryder plays the blonde cheerleader Edward falls in love with, and their silent, empathetic connection draws you into the classic story of an ostracized “beast” who falls in love with a beauty.
While Tim Burton’s other films have often emphasized the comedic elements of his fantasy settings, this film juxtaposes the drab rows of pastel-colored houses with the inky black Gothic castle where Edward lives, creating a social ambience for outsiders. and a thoughtful look at the rejection of people with special characteristics. There are many moments that feel like they’re straight out of a storybook, such as Kim twirling in Edward’s creation of “Snow,” accompanied by Danny Elfman’s mesmerizing choral score.
edward scissorhands Not only is this Tim Burton’s best movie, it’s also one of the greatest modern fairy tales of all time.
