Edward Scissorhands: A Critque by Austin Hammond

            Edward Scissorhands is a movie by Tim Burton starring Johnny Depp. In this dramatic romance, the main Character, Edward, Is discovered by Peg Boggs, (a cosmetic saleswoman) in the attic of a large mansion while she attempted to sell products. Edward at first is displayed as a monster with horrible Scissorhands but as he moves toward Peg, he is unmasked as a gently child who has been sheltered and secluded from the rest of the world, rendering him awkward and nearly incapable of human interaction. In contrast to Edwards inherited estate, which appears Dark and gloomy, the neighborhood below is bright and cheery, using bright paints and women wearing colorful summer dresses to create a sense of happiness and friendly people, partially creating a standard for society to yield by. Peg out of pity, takes Edward out of his groggy mansion and takes him to come live with her, and her family. However, the neighborhood group of women is suspicious of Peg’s new friend.

            Edward is a tall character with black hair, pale complexion and dark, nearly Gothic attire. Compared to the rest of the neighborhood, Edward is far from normal, not even taking into consideration his hands, or scissors yet. As Edward begins his new life in Peg’s neighborhood, Edward slowly develops his personality. He is a modest and respectful person, who, despite his handicap, is incredibly talented. One day, Edward observes Peg's husband cutting the hedges in the back yard. Edward decides to help his with his chore creating a large dinosaur bush. Edward is becoming popular among the neighborhood and town. He soon shares his talent with the rest of the neighborhood and gives them each their own custom hedge art.

            While he gained popularity he was falling in love with Pegs daughter, Kim. At first she viewed him as a monster, but eventually as a friend and even more, a lover. It is difficult to know exactly how Edward feels, since he barely talks during the film and his main form of communicating his emotions is through his eyes. Although his raising stardom, he is still very different from the rest of the neighborhood occupants. Kim's current boyfriend, Jim, persuades Kim to ask Edward help rob his house, which would allow Jim to buy a car with the money, while excusing him from blame of the robbery. In this scene it has Low-key lighting. This helps create a sense of suspense, but as they enter the house Jim takes a commanding lead. High contrast lighting is used to raise the importance of to actions taking place. They enter the house and Jim turns on the lights and knocks over his dad’s picture. This segment is shot with a low angle shot further increasing the dramatic scenario that is taking place. Edward is left after the alarm sounds and is caught and arrested. This starts Edwards social decline. The neighbor hood becomes uneasy with Edward lurking about and are now concerned for their own safety. As Edward experiences quilt and When Kim asked confronts Edward to try and help with guilt, he admits he knew what he was doing, and only did it because she asked.

 
            Edward is now caught in a downward spiral. He is an emotional wreck and becomes depressed. He goes out into the yard and begins to make an ice sculpture. As he cuts away Kim stumbles into the yard and is standing in a shower of snow, something that apparently never happens in that neighborhood. Music starts to play as she dances in the snow and back lighting is used along side a low angle panning shot. This creates a dramatic, and somewhat romantic scene. Until, of course Jim startles him and he slips and cuts Kim's hand. The police is called again and Edward treats to his manor, leaving a path a destruction behind him. Kim follows him and eventually finds him in the attic. Unfortunately, so does Jim, and this time he has a gun. He attempts to shoot Edward but Kim pushes the gun away and he fires at the ceiling causing a collapse. Kim is thrown to the floor while Jim beats on Edward. Kim gatherers enough strength to hit Jim over the head with a piece of wood. This gives Edward enough time to get to his feet and he stabs Jim in the stomach and pushes him out of a window. Kim and Edward then hug and kiss and Kim tells Edward that he loves him. Then she tells him he has to stay in the house and hide from the town’s people. Kim exits with a prototype scissor hand she finds on the way out and she uses it to help convince that he is dead

            After everyone leaves the estate and returns home, flash forward back to the scene of an old woman telling her daughter a story. The old woman is Kim and she indirectly tells her daughter that it was her who was in love with Edward. This creates a sense or understanding for the audience and leaves them with a sense of confliction that can often bring upon emotion. Edward Scissorhands is a dramatic romance film and i highly recommend it to all.