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Edward Scissorhands (1990)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
Once again Tim Burton provides us with an imaginative, striking and alternative view of an outcast in society. Edward (Johnny Depp) is the product of a genius inventor who created him as the end of a long line of unusual, anthropomorphic machines. Unfortunately the inventor (Vincent Price) died before finishing Edward - leaving him with scissors for hands. After long years of isolation in his castle, one day the silence is broken by the calling of the Avon lady (in scenes reminiscent of Dracula, Beauty and the Beast and other fairy-tales). Taking pity she adopts Edward and takes him home - to a suburbia of pastel houses, all alike and all filled with stereotypical suburban gossiping housewives and their 'normal' families.

Like wildfire the gossip surrounding his arrival rises with all of the housewives demanding to see Edward, like a circus animal or performing clown. Luckily, at his presentation barbecue he proves a hit with his skill at topiary and general other-worldliness, leading to his acceptance. In no time Edward is styling dogs, styling their owners and appearing on talk shows. The only obstacle is his protectors daughter Kim (Winona Ryder), the object of his affections and girlfriend to an obnoxious jerk (of course).

Following in the footsteps of the best fairy-tales we know that this cannot last. With just a few wrong steps (all entirely innocent) Edward becomes the pariah of the community and a hated alien presence. In a climatic sequence Edward's love is briefly requited and the Frankenstein-like sequences of villagers storming the castle are beautifully set-up.

Throughout Edward Scissorhands Danny Elfman's music provides a lyrical, and recognisable, accompaniment to the fantastical imagery - such as when Edward creates ice sculptures. The acting is generally reasonable although it's difficult to get close to the characters or feel for their predicament. Somehow the ending arrives too quickly with little thought for the aftershocks of Edward's adventure - the narration by Kim (as an old lady) is unhelpful as we aren't provided with any background to the story. In summary, this is an interesting and beautiful film with major weak points arising from the characters and their story (BTW the topiary creations are fantastic).

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