Edward Scissorhands [PG]

Once upon a time, high up on a hill, there lived an inventor who created man. But the inventor was very old and he died before he could finish the man, whom he named Edward, and so Edward was left incomplete with scissors for hands to live a solitary life in the crumbing mansion. But one day, a local Avon lady named Peg discovers his hiding place and brings him down to live with her and her family. In the beginning, it seems that innocent Edward may be fine in the real world, but soon his inexperience and lack of human connections begins to lead him into trouble. 

Aside from maybe Big Fish, Edward Scissorhands has to be the most beautiful and heartbreaking film of Tim Burton’s career. A deeply touching fairytale that conversely takes a subtle jab at the institutions of families and the so-called “community” of suburban neighbourhoods it is, it really is the most beautifully crafted film in Burton’s repertoire. It’s also the one film (that I’ve seen to date) that makes me bawl every single time I see it. Just a few notes from Danny Elfman’s haunting score and a single glance at Johnny Depp’s innocent and sad face and I’m weeping heartfelt and uncontrollably; just like Anthony Hopkins in The Elephant Man. IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO SAD! 

Once upon a time, high up on a hill, there lived an inventor who created man. But the inventor was very old and he died before he could finish the man, whom he named Edward, and so Edward was left incomplete with scissors for hands to live a solitary life in the crumbing mansion. But one day, a local Avon lady named Peg discovers his hiding place and brings him down to live with her and her family. In the beginning, it seems that innocent Edward may be fine in the real world, but soon his inexperience and lack of human connections begins to lead him into trouble. 

Lightning never strikes in the same place twice and, if it does, it’s got to be from a different storm. Rather than follow the success of Batman with another action-packed, special effects-driven thrill ride, Tim chose to walk down the road less travelled and leading in entirely the opposite direction by making a movie as un-mainstream and un-blockbuster as there could ever be. The result was Edward Scissorhands, an artistic and beautifully crafted gothic fairytale that stimulates the imagination and touches the heart. 

On a visual level the film is stunning with its bright and vibrant portrayal of suburbia acting as “the real world” and a gothic and sinister mansion being the one place where the protagonist is safe from harm. The story takes subtle jabs at the suburbia sense of community with the housewives having nothing to do but gossip, beginning the film with a fascination and embrace of Edward and then a sudden reversal of fervour when his innocence is taken advantage of and his presence is accustomed to. Not quite dissimilar from The Man Who Fell to Earth. In a sense, it’s a very poignant film as it clearly portrays the ideal “perfect life” and then completely shatters it by saying that even a life and institution as ideal as this is susceptible to prejudices and other societal pressures that end up causing inevitable conflict. 

Whilst the signature beauty of the film can be credited to Tim Burton, other accolades must be awarded to the people without which, this film could not have been so moving. Danny Elfman’s score is without a doubt the most beautiful, melancholy, and haunting of his entire career, playing a great part when it comes to bringing tears to the eyes. The performance of Anthony Michael Hall, who we all know and love as the Brain from The Breakfast Club shows a darker side as he plays the nasty, arrogant, and pressuring boyfriend. And Winona Ryder who played a slightly dark and quirky daughter in Beetlejuice brings to the screen elegance and a sort of enchanting beauty, particularly in that mesmerising scene where she is dancing in the snow whilst Edwards is sculpting. 

But without a doubt, the irrepressible star of the show is Johnny Depp, a portrait of childlike innocence and instability. Johnny’s performance is nothing short of heartbreaking as he spends much of the film conveying his emotions and inner conflicts as well as one or two comedic moments of awkwardness through his eyes and lack of dialogue. The words he does speak are nervous and meek and it just makes the heart bleed. Johnny, YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! 

Starring Dianne Wiest, Kathy Baker, Robert Oliveri, Conchata Farrell, Caroline Aaron, Dick Anthony Williams, O-Lan Jones, Susan Blommaert, Linda Perri, John Davidson, Alan Arkin and a short-lived cameo from Vincent Price in his last ever role, Edward Scissorhands is a most beautiful and heartbreaking film filled with good intentions, romance, friendship, drama, stunning makeup and costumes not to mention the scissorhands, and divine music. I’ve changed my mind, this movie is definitely the most beautiful film that Tim Burton has done. IT’S JUST SUPERB!