Moving fairytale (major spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (14 August 2003)

"Edward Scissorhands" is easily Tim Burton's best film. It's bizarre and quirky subject material, and the approach taken to it, may not be for everyone. Fans of gritty, realistic films or exciting action movies should probably steer clear of this. But anyone who enjoys a gentle fairytale with a touch of social commentary thrown in would easily take to this.
The tale begins with an old woman telling her granddaughter a bedtime story about a man with scissors for hands. Moving into flashback, we meet Edward (Johnny Depp) an artificially created man whose inventor (Vincent Price) died before he could complete him, leaving him with protruding metal skewers where his hand should be. Living in a dilapidated old mansion that overlooks a sunny suburban neighbourhood, Edward is discovered by Peg (Dianne Wiest), a kindly Avon lady, who takes him home to live with her family.
Edward's hands make him an excellent hair-stylist and topiarist, and he quickly becomes the hot topic of gossip among Peg's neighbours. But things are complicated by Peg's beautiful daughter Kim (Winona Ryder), to whom Edward becomes powerfully attracted...
There is a splendid technical backdrop to this picture. The use of blacks and greys in Edward's home contrast with the multicoloured pastels of Peg's neighbourhood. Shot in Florida, the suburban environment is clearly very Seventies influenced, but not specifically so. The result is a timeless, everyday feel that works very well as a backdrop for the characters. Keeping in with the absurdity, Edward's mansion possesses Tardis-like qualities, being significantly larger inside than it is on the outside.
The whole story is accentuated by Danny Elfman's magnificent score. Through careful use of both string and choral sounds, Elfman captures perfectly the tragic plight of the central character, as well as highlighting the so-called normality of the people he encounters.
On a script and story level, this film has it all. Edward is an inner extension of director Tim Burton (who co-wrote the story with Caroline Thomson). Anyone who has ever felt like a freak or an outsider in life, or has something of a tortured artist in him, should be able to identify with Edward. He acts as a metaphor for such people, and this is why his predicament is so very moving.
The story goes further than this, though. Through Edward, Burton exposes the little idiosyncracies and hypocrisies that make up suburban middle-class life. Principal to this is the character of Peg, who despite everything going on around her, still clings (like her neighbours) to the hollow illusion of "normal".
The characters are perhaps a little two-dimensional, but are given vivid life through some very colourful performances. Johnny Depp is excellent as Edward, conveying innocence, pain and love often without any dialogue. Dianne Wiest is equally good as well-intentioned but misguided Peg, and especially enjoys playing the mother to Depp. She is balanced out by Alan Arkin as her earthy husband.
Winona Ryder, looking immaculate in blonde wig and white dress, is perfect as Edward's love and Ryder convincingly portrays Kim's increasing affection for him. Anthony Michael Hall is nice and nasty as her greedy thug of a boyfriend. Vincent Price, in his last movie, is fine as the sweet old Inventor. All other performances are well-rounded out.
Moving, funny and enjoyable, "Edward Scissorhands" is Tim Burton at his bizarre best.