Edward Scissorhands Review
Figure 1. Poster (1990)
Edward scissor
hands(1990) directed by Tim Burton is an interesting film, this is because of
the way it distorts the idea of social norms. Edward (Johnny Depp) looks like a
typical horror story villain is actually innocent and childlike, the actual
villains are the people who take advantage of Edwards gentle nature.
The visuals of
the film look great but some would argue that the story lacks depth. Roger
Ebert makes a point when he says something along the lines of "Burton's movies look great, but they
should make some attempt to make the characters more than
caricatures"(Ebert , 1990). This is a valid point some of the
characters seem to lack personality as if they are just to fill a role, but
this is not true of all the main characters. Edward is a prime example of a
character who is built perfectly and has made some what relatable. An example
of a person who seems artificial is Peg (Dianne Wiest) throughout the film she
seems to adhere to every motherly stereotype imaginable, because of this she
seem cliché and a bit generic. To some extent that artificiality is needed to
document the growth of Edward, but it make her stale and uninteresting.
Figure 2. Edward Scissorhands. (1959)
The set design
for this film is amazing, the way the gothic castle is contrasted with the
artificial suburbia sets the tone for the film. When the spectator first sees
the castle grounds they are greeted with a lovely garden, this is the first
instant that the viewer is allowed to peek into a Edwards childlike psyche. The
viewer is able to see more of Edwards psyche when Peg finds him, he is hiding
in the dark, this connotes he is afraid of Peg.
Although he is afraid of Peg his child like curiosity gives him the
courage to see who or what Peg is.
"Peg is alarmed at first by the flash of Edwards lethal blades. But
her maternal instincts are soon aroused" (Travers, 1990). Soon after
Peg becomes the mother Edward never had, feeding him, clothing him and giving
him a home. Edward's character is tested when his motherly figure rejects him,
after his rejection Edward realises that he was nothing but a tool and this
cause his bursts of violence towards the end of the film.
Figure 3. Edwards castle
The film does well to show "civilizations
power to corrupt innocence" (Maslin, 1990), because of social pressures
to be accepted. People conform to social norms which exercises Two step flow
theory, the idea that some people are opinion leaders and some are opinion
followers. The pastel colours of the suburban home which is supposed to show
individuality but instead creates a sense of conformity. The only person who
seems to be an individual is Edward, but society tries to force is norms onto
him and because he doesn't conform he is rejected. Two step flow is expressed
through Edward when he became a trendsetter, but because of the nature of these trends he is soon replaced by the next big
thing.
In conclusion
the film has an interesting way of addressing
the social issues of the other (those who reject norms to be and
individual).
Illustrations list
Figure. 1. Edward scissorhands poster, (c.1990) [poster] At: http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZfwTUFUYVQkVu0BcSoKvREr8Kn9lovO4Y7wTC7xZZmO7TEAXF (accessed on 30/11/2014)
Figure. 2. Edward Scissorhands. (1959). From: Edward Scissorhands, Directed by: Tim Burton [Film still]. At:
http://fogsmoviereviews.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/edward_scissorhands_hill.png (accessed on(30/11/2014)
Figure. 3. Edwards castle. (1959). From: Edward Scissorhands, Directed by: Tim Burton [Film still]. At: http://zannaland.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/edward-1.jpg (accessed on 30/11/2014)
Bibliography
Maslin, J.(1990) Edward Scissorhands reveiw. At http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CE2D81338F934A35751C1A966958260 (accessed on 20/11/2014)
Ebert, R.(1990)
Travers, P. (1990)
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