Edward Scissorhands
Plot
Peg is a small town’s Avon representative. Trying to get new clients, she decides to try the literal castle on the hill – a dark gothic building – where the only inhabitant – is the final product of a crazy scientist – who died before he could complete it – a man with scissors for hands. His name; Edward.
Peg brings Edward home and helps him assimilate to the neighbourhood, and find him a place within the community.
Direction
Tim Burton’s gothic direction is on full display here, especially in the tower that Edward lives with the scientist.
Cast/Characters
Johnny Depp is perfectly cast as the title role of Edward/
Winona Rider as Peg’s daughter Kim, is sound, and the chemistry between herself and Depp is incredible, which is likely due to their real-life relationship at the time.
Diane Weist and Alan Arkin (RIP) as Peg and Bill are brilliant as the parents – almost mirroring the 80s style sitcom parents. Arkin would go on to use this dry caricature in future roles like ‘So I Married an Axe-Murder’ as well as others.
Anthony Michael Hall does away with his Breakfast Club persona here too, and begins his transition into more adult type roles. He does great as the primary antagonist.
Robert Oliveri (from Honey I Shrunk the Kids) plays Kevin, the youngest child in the household, and plenty of then ‘that actress’ as the neighbours (Kathy Baker, Conchatta Ferrel (RIP), O-Lan Jones.
The late great Vincent Price plays the scientist, and is perhaps a little underused.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The chalk and cheese setting of the gothic mansion, and the colourful homes, with perfectly manicured lawns and the synchronised ‘husbands’ cars’ is so subtly brilliant. The set designs perfectly incapsulates what life of the late 80s of both sitcoms and has a cartoonish feel to it.
Because Depp’s dialogue is so minimal, he makes up for it with such nuanced non-verbal communication. He plays the child like Edward brilliantly you just want to give him a hug, especially with the waterbed scenes.
Some of the imagination behind the machinery (the scientists breakfast machine) is just brilliant.
Kim dancing in the snow was some incredible imagery that has gone on to be recreated in other pop culture, and is itself referenced later in the film.
Score/Soundtrack
Danny Elfman’s (Burton’s frequent collaborator) gothic score is wonderful, especially during some of the key moments.
Overall
It had been at least 30 years since I had seen this, and I will not wait another 30 to watch it again. A great film and one of Burton/Depp’s best collaborations. Lemonade!
4.5/5