Edward Scissorhands (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Beetlejuice, Batman, Pee Wee's Big Adventure ... what do these films have in common? Cooky, creepy, eccentric director Tim Burton: that's what. And his latest effort, 'Edward Scissorhands' is as strange as the other ones; in a great way. The film takes place in an artificial world where gothic castles sit on craggy mountaintops & lurk above Florida-like suburbia. For as pastel as the houses are, & as green as the grass is, the black mountain (and castle) lurks at the end of this suburban culdesac. Furthermore, the men & women who occupy the homes in this pastel suburbia are varying forms of the same identity (vapid, faux-Stepford-like wives & husbands). The warmest resident of this suburb, however, is a kindly Avon lady named Peg (Dianne Wiest), who naively comes calling one day at the castle. She walks inside the barren, cavernous interiors & stumbles upon a lonely young man in the attack; this is Edward (Johnny Depp).
Edward's story is told in flashback, and it is quite sad. He was created by a mad inventor (Vincent Price, perfect fit for a Tim Burton film), who was almost finished with completing Edward when he died, leaving his "son" with temporary metal scissors in place of real hands. For poor, confused Edward, we see that scissors are a HUGE inconvenience for him. i.e., his face is full of scars (when he forgets that his hands are scissors); he pokes holes in or shreds everything he touches, etc. But through all of this, the Peg remains unfazed. He'll be her new pet project (and she really means well). Edward joins Peg's family, which includes husband Bill (Alan Arkin) & pretty daughter Kim (Winona Ryder). The neighbors in this suburb are inherently curious, led by the nosy - and oversexed - Joyce (Kathy Baker). But fun/interesting situations soon turn dark; even tragic. And Edward's existence in his new community is threatened.
'Edward Scissorhands' is a modern - if gothic - fairy tale: mysterious young man lives a monastic existence in a dark castle ... is found by civilization ... is the source of gossip, adoration & lust ... wins over the public with outlandish haircutting techniques (with his scissorhands) ... becomes loved ... finds love (with Kim) ... then disaster strikes ... and Edward is shunned by said civilization. Just your classic fairy tale outline, right? {haha}
In all sincerity, this is a wondrous film to behold. I'd even go as far as calling it a Classic. It has that 'something'. It's gorgeously filmed (with unique camera angles). The production design, costumes, hair & make-up work is astounding. It is voyeuristic. It's funny. It's inventive. It's sweet. And then it's incredibly sad -- this movie really runs the gamut. Though it is not perfect, I do think this film will be looked upon years from now & remembered fondly. You know, Tim Burton is cooky to begin with. And the way he frames his cooky tale, here (he also wrote it), with an intriguing modern day set-up, then flashback to the core story, then melancholic resolution back in the modern day setting, is well done.
I also think that the film has something to say about isolation, the treatment of outsiders, & the pettiness of American suburbia. People can exploit the newest freak show in town, so long as they get something out of it. Johnny Depp is fantastic as the fragile, gentle, naive creation (monster, if you will). Few actors could nail a character like Edward; and Depp does. Overall, 'Edward Scissorhands' is just a wonderful fantasy film. There's visual flair. It's bizarre. There's tenderness. And there's also palpable danger in the proceedings (certainly in the final 20-30 minutes). And I have no doubt that it will latch onto the heartstrings of most audiences.
Edward's story is told in flashback, and it is quite sad. He was created by a mad inventor (Vincent Price, perfect fit for a Tim Burton film), who was almost finished with completing Edward when he died, leaving his "son" with temporary metal scissors in place of real hands. For poor, confused Edward, we see that scissors are a HUGE inconvenience for him. i.e., his face is full of scars (when he forgets that his hands are scissors); he pokes holes in or shreds everything he touches, etc. But through all of this, the Peg remains unfazed. He'll be her new pet project (and she really means well). Edward joins Peg's family, which includes husband Bill (Alan Arkin) & pretty daughter Kim (Winona Ryder). The neighbors in this suburb are inherently curious, led by the nosy - and oversexed - Joyce (Kathy Baker). But fun/interesting situations soon turn dark; even tragic. And Edward's existence in his new community is threatened.
'Edward Scissorhands' is a modern - if gothic - fairy tale: mysterious young man lives a monastic existence in a dark castle ... is found by civilization ... is the source of gossip, adoration & lust ... wins over the public with outlandish haircutting techniques (with his scissorhands) ... becomes loved ... finds love (with Kim) ... then disaster strikes ... and Edward is shunned by said civilization. Just your classic fairy tale outline, right? {haha}
In all sincerity, this is a wondrous film to behold. I'd even go as far as calling it a Classic. It has that 'something'. It's gorgeously filmed (with unique camera angles). The production design, costumes, hair & make-up work is astounding. It is voyeuristic. It's funny. It's inventive. It's sweet. And then it's incredibly sad -- this movie really runs the gamut. Though it is not perfect, I do think this film will be looked upon years from now & remembered fondly. You know, Tim Burton is cooky to begin with. And the way he frames his cooky tale, here (he also wrote it), with an intriguing modern day set-up, then flashback to the core story, then melancholic resolution back in the modern day setting, is well done.
I also think that the film has something to say about isolation, the treatment of outsiders, & the pettiness of American suburbia. People can exploit the newest freak show in town, so long as they get something out of it. Johnny Depp is fantastic as the fragile, gentle, naive creation (monster, if you will). Few actors could nail a character like Edward; and Depp does. Overall, 'Edward Scissorhands' is just a wonderful fantasy film. There's visual flair. It's bizarre. There's tenderness. And there's also palpable danger in the proceedings (certainly in the final 20-30 minutes). And I have no doubt that it will latch onto the heartstrings of most audiences.