I have to start off by saying, I love this film sooo much. I very nearly chose this topic for my paper and looking back on it, I probably should have. This is a gorgeous movie, one that really tugs at the heart strings.
First off, this film follows the formula mentioned in another post. Edward is a creation and so like Prot, he is seeing the world in depth for the first time. When his father died he was left alone and so is very underdeveloped. His innocence is astounding but then so is his capacity to love.
This film is also full of fantasy. First off, Edward lives in a castle. His home looks like it came out of a story book. I really like Burton's use of contrast with color. The castle is dark, foreboding, and gothic. This makes it seem cold and cut off from the world but it is also a testament to the strength of the building. It is very much a castle and so Edward is safe within its walls, safe from the outside world. The garden by contrast is beautiful beyond words. We see the imagination within Edward as well as his inner beauty. Though his hands make it impossible to touch, he spreads beauty wherever he goes. Another one of my favorite fantasy details involves the snow. It is like beautiful children's story, which is appropriate since it begins as one. It is the story of how snow is made, a wonderful notion. I really liked the use of snow in the beginning, end, and in the characters he makes which create the snow (especially the angel).
I really appreciated the metaphor in Edward's hands. Scissors are a strong symbol. Edward cannot fit in and he cannot touch. He wants to interact, to fit in, but it is impossible. He is a wonderful person, creating beauty in the world around him but he will always remain an outsider. This can be seen in the knife component of scissors. The cutting could account for his own distress. He feels inadequate, cut off from the world. I also liked the metaphor they used, "incomplete and all alone."
I really enjoyed the pairing between Edward and Kim. I liked how he fell in love immediately when he saw her photograph and the emotion in his eyes. I also loved how she fell in love, a reaction that was shown while he clipped roses. It was deep, beautiful, and symbolic. I really like the scene where he says he can't hold her...it is touching and endearing, especially when she helps him to do so.
I adored Johnny Depp's performance in this film. Do not misunderstand me. This has nothing to do with his status. I was in my early teens when I truly started to appreciate this film and at the time had no idea who he was therefore this should be seen as related to his performance rather than his identity. I really appreciated his face and mannerisms. He had nonverbal communication down to an art, something needed if Edward was to be done correctly. His eyes alone were the window to Edward's soul. The only portrayal in acting that I ever saw that came close to this in performance was a silent film called the Lodger...I immediately recognized Edward. I later found out that silent films were used as inspiration which made perfect sense. Edward needed to rely on body language and I was impressed with the effort taken to develop this character.
The final detail that stands out to me here is the music. I absolutely adore this music. When I was twelve I first delved into classical music. I gravitated towards soundtracks as they were composed based on emotions and so had a stronger feeling to them. The first I ever bought was Edward Scissorhands. I had not seen the film in several years and began with the soundtrack. It is so heart wrenching and beautiful. The vocals are astounding as is the Orchestra during the Grand Finale. I was moved to tears. The music is beautiful and strengthens the scene. It does a wonderful job portraying Edward's emotion. This strengthened my reactions, making me feel more emotional and innocent.
The only detail from the movie that I dislike is the humdrum between segments of Edward. I know it is symbolic but the focus on Suburbia and other characters seems dull and underdeveloped. Edward however, I loved.
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