Hard as rock, sharp as scissors, soft as paper - 'Edward Scissorhands'

Rating: Null/10 (7 May 2004)

Being director Tim Burton's picture 'edward Scissorhands' combines a sense of dreamy storytelling with great special effects. The film tells the story of edward, a young, mysterious man with a different appearance but a kind human heart.
Edward lives alone in the town's notorious 'house on top of the hill' until the day an Avon lady calls and takes him home to live with her in their town...unfortunately not realising the potential consequences.
As always the director (Sleepy Hollow, Beetlejuice, Batman) works visual magic and with a top screenplay by Caroline Thompson the film captivates with a slight twist on good and evil. With spectacular sets, Tim Burton, uses a fantastic, surreal mixture of dark, haunting sets and bright planned 60's streets. These sets are stunningly visual and vibrant colours play off each other and contrast to edward's dark yet beautiful home)
Starring a then trapped TV drama heart-throb, Johnny Depp (edward) gives a performance of a lifetime without really having to speak. His heart-warming performance enables you to sympathise with this character and his habits, such as extravagant topiary and makes you also sympathise with how difficult people are to get on with in life. Johnny Depp is among a fine cast including Winona Ryder, Diane Wiest and Vincent Price as the inventor.
The other characters, mainly the family and the neighbours start to annoy you with their precise lives but soon it becomes apparent that this is the danger for the harmless edward. As in a lot of Tim Burton films the characters are obviously greatly worked into and can sometimes seem a derivate on stereotypes or to the extreme. Whatever your view, this works in 'edward Scissorhands' and adds to the tragedy that affects anyone who isn't 'normal'.
Some people may find the start a little slow but that does not hinder the fascination throughout the film and I find this also shows the quick descent into sad chaos as the characters begin to realise the consequences of trying to change things. `Sometimes you just can't change things.' The film doesn't really have a set time period because with love it doesn't matter.
The story is original and gently funny, with a slight touch of danger. This film, to me, also represents the narrow mindedness of our societies and touches upon the notion of racism and discrimination and the sad consequences of the extremes of this. It is shown through the family's neighbour's reception to edward. Above all though the film is about true love and works under the children's question 'where does snow come from?' - The film answers the question, you will have to see it to find out.
For me 'edward Scissorhands' is the best visual journey ever told. With make-up from Stan Winston and music by Danny Elfman, the whole film takes you into a spectacular surreal world. 'edward Scissorhands' is an incredible love story, visually a treat and one that will remain in your heart forever.
Star rating - five out of five