Edward Scissorhands

Fig. 1

Edward Scissorhands is a magical comforting family movie directed by Tim Burton. This movie was nominated a Hugo award for the best dramatic presentation and a BAFTA award for best production design.

The story begins with an intelligent scientist (acted by Vincent Price) who created a human being (Johnny Depp) with ought a hand but scissors. The scientist wanting to give Edward’s hands dies before assembling him. A Sales Woman (Acted by Dianne Wiest) takes him out of his world into her world where he meets several challenges.

Fig. 2

The production design is one of the appealing things in the movie because of the different colours used. The colours were not picked at random, however, the colours described the characters that lived in the houses. In Fig.3 you are able to see a big contrast between the vintage “goofy sitcom neighbourhood where all of the houses are shades of pastels and all of the inhabitants seem to be emotional clones of the Jetsons” and the “haunting gothic castle crouches on a mountaintop high above a storybook suburb,” (Ebert, 1990) thus giving the audience an insight of how different Edward or whoever lives there is different. When a behind the shoulder shot was used for the Sales Woman we were invited to this beautiful gothic castle. The different camera angles were expressive to show how enormous and dark it was. For example, a bird’s eye view was used inside the castle and a low shot was used when she entered Edwards room. This made the mise-en-scene mysterious and dark.

Fig. 3

The make-up was well done mostly on Edward as it represented his character and the story as “When someone has a wound, the healing process can involve suffering that may feel worse than the initial acquiring of the wound. However, most people find this experience tolerable based on a belief that a certain level of suffering is required to allow the wound to heal.” (Ladd. P, 2016) Interpreting this to what was shown in the movie, Edward’s Scientist or master died leaving Edward alone however his scar began to heal as he came out of his castle and felt different types of emotions. In the end of the film, he was left alone again in the dark castle however felt happier than before.

Fig. 4

Not only was their product designs and camera angles beautiful, the Choruses and the music used as a non-diegetic sound created a beautiful atmosphere. The fact that a choir was used to alert the audience (for example danger or happiness) created a fairy-tale or fantasy feel. “It is also very well performed in a naturalistic fashion that sets the fantasy in truth and makes it credible.” (Malcolm, 1991) Going with what Malcolm said their fashion also made their acting realistic and felt relative as the designer did not go over the top with clothing however clothed them naturalistically.

In conclusion, the production design told the story and helped express the characters in the movie. The make-up and fashion were well thought of and naturalistic making us as the audience relate to them in many ways.

Bibliography:

Ebert, R (1990) - EDWARD SCISSORHANDS at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/edward-scissorhands-1990 [Accessed: 11/12/17]

Malcolm, D (1991) - EDWARD SCISSORHANDS at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,558617,00.html [Accessed: 11/12/17]

Ladd, P (2016) - A scar is not a wound: A metaphor for counseling at :http://ct.counseling.org/2016/11/scar-not-wound-metaphor-counseling/ [Accessed: 11/12/17]

Illustration:

Fig. 1 – Edward Scissorhands – Tim Burton – Movie Poster (1990)

Fig. 2 - Edward Scissorhands – Tim Burton – Still Image (1990)

Fig. 3 - Edward Scissorhands – Tim Burton – Still Image (1990)

Fig. 4 - Edward Scissorhands – Tim Burton – Gif Image (2013)