Edward Scissorhands is Tim Burton’s greatest achievement and stands out from his more comedic or action-oriented films, bringing a deep emotional dignity to the eccentric aesthetic he is known for. It is also the first time that Tim Burton worked with Johnny Depp, who would later star in seven more of his films.
Depp plays a young scissorhanded man who is taken in by a kind-hearted Avon lady. With minimal dialogue and an unassuming presence, his performance resembles that of a silent film actor. In frequent close-ups, Johnny Depp conveys so much through his sad brown eyes: confusion, childlike innocence, a broken soul. Winona Ryder plays the blonde cheerleader with whom Edward falls in love, and their unspoken, empathetic connection draws you into the classic story of an outlawed “beast” falling in love with a beauty.
Unlike Tim Burton’s other films, which often emphasize the comedic elements of his imaginative settings, this film juxtaposes the monotonous rows of pastel-colored houses with the inky black Gothic castle where Edward lives to make thoughtful observations about society’s rejection of outsiders and those who are different. There are so many moments that feel like they’re straight out of a storybook, such as when Kim twirls around in the “snow” created by Edward, accompanied by Danny Elfman’s enchanting choral music.
Edward Scissorhands is not only Tim Burton’s best film, but also one of the greatest modern fairy tales of all time.
