Edward Scissorhands is Tim Burton’s crowning achievement, marking a major departure from his extra comedian or action-oriented movies that provides the eccentric aesthetic he’s identified for a profound emotional gravitas. It’s additionally the primary time Tim Burton labored with Johnny Depp, who would go on to star in seven extra of his movies.
Depp performs a younger man with scissors for palms who’s taken in by a kindhearted Avon woman. With minimal dialogue and an unassuming presence, his efficiency resembles a silent movie actor’s. In frequent close-ups, Johnny Depp communicates a lot via his unhappy brown eyes: confusion, child-like innocence, a damaged soul. Winona Ryder performs the blonde cheerleader whom Edward falls for, and their unstated, empathetic connection attracts you into the traditional story of an ostracized “beast” falling for a magnificence.
In contrast to Tim Burton’s different movies, which frequently emphasize the comedic components of his fanciful settings, this one juxtaposes the monotonous rows of pastel-colored homes with the ink-black Gothic citadel the place Edward lives to make considerate observations on societal rejection of outsiders and folks with variations. There are such a lot of moments that really feel straight out of a storybook, resembling when Kim twirls within the “snow” created by Edward, accompanied by Danny Elfman’s enchanting choral rating.
Edward Scissorhands just isn’t solely Tim Burton’s greatest movie, however one of many biggest trendy fairy tales ever advised.