Film Review: Edward Scissorhands

(Fig 1, Edward Scissorhands, Poster)

 Tim Burton's film Edward Scissorhands (1990) was one of his most renowned films with lead actor Johnny Depp playing Edward. Edward Scissorhands  could be argued that it gave you an insight into the world of Burton's childhood. Edward was heavily influenced upon how Burton had felt within his life - the outsider, the misunderstood. Although asperges was not recognized until 1940, according to Helena Bonham Carter had said in an interview: ''I realised he has a bit of Asperger's in him. You start recognising the signs. We were watching a documentary about autism and he said that was how he felt as a child.''( Carter, 2010). The film was created show his seperation from society and showing the world through another perspective. It had created an iconic figure for individuality and to stand out among the crowds through one character alone - Edward. This is one of the most iconic figures of today and has had a huge influence upon the fashion scene and it had all started from a drawing from his childhood (Fig. 2).

(Fig 2. Edward Scissorhand original illustration).

Throughout the film the separation between worlds with Edward and his surroundings is obviously represented through character, but also through scenery too. The film is set in a suburban American town and in the 1950's to 60's. When introduced to the film we are given a one point perspective shot showing the two extreme's of Edward's house and the surrounding area (Fig 3).

(Fig 3, Edward Scissorhands, Film still)

Although Tim Burton is not known for one the use of one point perspective, Stanley Kubrick is and known famously for the use of these techniques. As Lauren Davis had said whilst analyzing Kubrick's techniques: ''One thing that makes Kubrick's movies so unusual is his heavy use of one-point perspective, to focus in on a single character or object, and often to create a sense that we are trapped within the scene rather than merely watching it.''(Davis, 2012). Furthermore this could be argued that we as an audience are trapped within the scene and feeling the emotions that Edward is feeling. Not only is Edward physically trapped within the castle and 'locked' away from the outside world but he is also emotionally trapped inside a body that no one understands, as an audience we are given that understanding which therefore allows us to relate to Edward. 

Altogether throughout the film there seems to be a constant clash between the two opposites, even in the times where he is accepted as part of the 'normal' community he is seen as being used for his abilities rather than being acknowledged for who he is. This was a film which Tim Burton wanted you to see through his eyes in a fantasy environment. With the fantastic set design and character development you can clearly see Tim Burton had payed close attention to all the little details to get across this complexity of messages for the audience to embrace.



Bibliography:

(Carter, 2010), Mr and Mrs Mad Hatter, Daily Mail [Article]. URL:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1253885/Mr-Mrs-Mad-Hatter-The-strange-world-Helena-Bonham-Carter-Tim-Burton.html (Accessed 25.11.2013)

(Davis, 2012), How obsessed was Stanley Kubrick obsessed with one point perspective? [Online Blog], at URL: http://io9.com/5939802/just-how-obsessed-was-stanley-kubrick-with-one+point-perspective-watch-this-video-to-find-out (Accessed, 25.11.2013)

Illustration list:

Fig 1, Edward Scissorhands (1990) [Poster], URL: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6uT7aYNZbIqarXsfEbaeGXiY-hd8blNwMHVoiz0tYsPgy0-4nWZEUjLklnj2V4MOduis6yi91QHoxWTuNwrBeGFb_8o7BCf3hqv-Tto5gpFacYp4YF0EiLIpj6Xdd_dpmVPME8fX8Ts/s1600/ES+poster.jpeg (Accessed 25.11.2013)

Fig 2. Edward Scissorhands (1990), Original illustration [Illustration], at URL: http://www.stylenoir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Edward-Scissorhands-tim-burton-original-illustration.jpg (Accessed on 25.112013)

Fig 3. Edward Scissorhands (1990), Directed by Tim Burton, [Film Still]. at URL: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwJkqb-mNTcrpc52nPW_8eea9lzkk4jGQ6S_JZlcUFjUmmFQ0e9sGQNFWp7jM0mwmvMNNM6Ia7HrYKEaeNU2PUqmAimEFt2Gqaf3Pci36rIH_Jyyddbt9xkZxn7rtznzX-9bRFa0DVx9L/s320/esc_014Neighborhood.jpg. (Accessed on 25.11.2013)