Edward Scissorhands

Title: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Director: Tim Burton
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Lead Actor(s): Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder
Rating: PG-13
105 minutes

I feel like this is the movie where Tim Burton really hits his stride. The striking images of the bright pastel houses and the interesting topiary help set the theme for the movie and make it distinctly Burton.

This is the first of many collaborations between Depp and Burton and what a way to start a partnership. This retelling of Frankenstein opened Johnny Depp to a completely different genre of fans and work. It was a necessity to break away from the atrocity of “21 Jump Street.” By taking such a strikingly different and difficult role, Johnny Depp became an actor as opposed to some teen idol. His portrayal of the stoic and naive Edward is still deeply emotional and evolved. I can’t imagine the horribleness if Tom Cruise or Jim Carrey, both of whom were considered, had gotten the role. Johnny Depp is able to make the monster human.

Unfortunately Winona Ryder brings this movie down as well. Luckily it is not as bad as Lydia. Her character, Kim, has less depth than Lydia did and as such her paltry acting skills are less aggravating. Diane West as the mother, Peg, is a phenomenal. She is a wonderful human being who is able to look past the monstrous appearance of Edward and welcome him into her family’s home. Anthony Michael Hall is extremely surprising as the tough, asshole boyfriend of Kim. I will always think of him as the brain, Brian, from The Breakfast Club. It is wonderfully weird and I have to wonder how many other directors would have cast an actor so firmly entrenched in the nerd stereotype as such a different character. I cannot imagine the experience of working with such a wonderful and experienced actor as Vincent Price. His role as The Inventor, the last movie role he ever complete, is better than any Dr. Frankenstein I have ever seen. The emotion and love Price brings towards his monstrous creation is wonderfully endearing.

Back to the amazing direction of Tim Burton. This movie is one of his wonderful ones where any still in this movie could be frozen and identified as a Tim Burton movie. The costuming and make-up of Johnny Depp is probably one of the more striking aspects of this movie. It does a lot in helping the audience feel sympathy for Edward, but it must have been horrific for Depp. His choice of filming location and the hideous colors of the homes in the area proves his ability and dexterity as a director. This movie alone would have left an impressive mark on film making, but thank god Burton continues. This movie takes some of the fear out of the classic story Frankenstein and instead gives the audience a protagonist they can easily associate and sympathize with despite his difference from anyone they have ever met. It really is a beautiful film.

******** 8/10