Edward Scissorhands, a story about acceptance

Edward Scissorhands, directed by Tim Burton in 1990 and starring the very young Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, is, for many, this author’s masterpiece. Its soundtrack stands out, composed by Danny Elfman, which has become a benchmark.

The aesthetics of the film Edward Scissorhands attract attention from the creditswith objects that are reminiscent of other works by the author, such as Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). When taking the first step into the film, the image of an old dusty and, at the same time, magical mansion already tells us that we are facing the purest “Burton Universe.”

In the form of a story, almost a fable, mixing fantasy with everyday life, Burton presents us with a film full of emotions and feelings. It gives life to a story in which two messages stand out: the importance of accepting differences and leaving prejudices aside.

Edward Scissorhands is a very personal story, autobiographical, although it is presented as a fantasy. Burton himself has spoken on several occasions about some problems in his childhood; In fact, he has always defined himself as lonely, and even “strange.” Even his ex-wife, Helena Bonham Carter, recognized some characteristics of Asperger’s syndrome in him.

Edward Scissorhands, a story full of contrasts

Burton presents the film to us as a story from an old woman to her granddaughter and, from there, we delve into fantasy. It all begins in a colorful neighborhood full of gardens and single-family homes. There is not a car, not a door, not a piece of clothing in the neighborhood that is black. Among all this color, stands out, in the background and on top of a hill, an old mansion, practically in ruins; gray and black, with an appearance that is very reminiscent of German expressionist cinema.

The first character we meet is Peg, a mother of two who works for the cosmetics company Avon. In a desperate attempt to sell her products, Peg decides to enter the mysterious mansion. Upon arrival, he finds some strange trees that have been carved imitating animal and human shapes.

The mansion, which seemed so dark in the distance, It is presented with a beautiful and colorful garden that is totally unexpected, which acts as an advertisement for the extraordinary inner world of its inhabitant. Music plays a key role as Peg ventures deeper into the mansion.

Surely, Peg expected to encounter something terrifying, creepy; however, It is located in a magical and wonderful environment, with sculptures full of sensitivity. The mansion is completely neglected inside, full of dust and cobwebs; Some newspaper clippings stuck on a wall stand out in which we can read titles such as “boy born without eyes reads with his hands.” Shortly after, we meet Edward, the strange inhabitant, who has an unexpected peculiarity and that is that, instead of hands, he has scissors.

Making contact with the world and social relationships

From the beginning, Edward presents extreme innocence. He does so when he refers to his father saying that he “didn’t wake up,” in clear allusion to his ignorance of the world, of life and death. Peg, fascinated by the scars caused by the scissors, decides to test her cosmetic products on him and invites him home.

From this moment, We will witness all of Edward’s difficulties in living in society, differentiating good from evil, the deep rejection that initially generates among the neighbors, and their subsequent fascination when they discover that they can take advantage of their skills as a gardener and hairdresser. The neighbors represent morbidity in its purest form, they stage a collective thought and are a faithful reflection of how that idea changes depending on the circumstances, so that their opinion about Edward is not their own, but collective.

Burton shows us how difficult it is to be accepted when you are not like everyone else. Arousing curiosity in some and fear in others, we see how the neighbors comment on everything that happens in the neighborhood, spread rumors, criticize Peg and his strange tenant.

Edward fits quite well into Peg’s family, establishing a very good relationship with her young son and her husband. However, When he meets Kim, his teenage daughter, certain feelings awaken in Edward, but he is unable to express them.. Her relationship with Kim is difficult at first because of her prejudices, but, over time, he will see in Edward the person he really is and the big heart he has for her.

Edward begins to arouse admiration among the neighbors for his skills in hairdressing and gardening, his popularity increases and they even offer to set up a beauty salon for him. Edward and Peg attend a television show as guests where they explain Edward’s case and the audience comments and asks questions. It’s funny how at this moment we see that, when the different becomes an attraction, it generates fascination. Edward is no longer different, he is special.

The ‘different’ scares

The conflicts return when Edward agrees to help Kim and her boyfriend carry out a criminal act; From here, we return to the degradation of the character, of the different. Society begins to see him as a monster, like someone who must be eliminated because he is dangerous. The neighbors who admired his talent so much are now afraid, they make up stories and want to see him dead.

There is a moment, a little wink, that I would like to highlight and it is a scene in which Edward is being chased through the neighborhood, he is alone, everyone wants him dead… But a dog sits next to him, he cuts his bangs to to see better and the animal offers a token of gratitude. This little moment is truly magical, here, Burton shows us how prejudices are something unknown to animals and sometimes they can be more understanding than many people.

Burton presents a character devoid of evil, with social problems because he has lived isolated for too long due to his particular condition. Few see Edward as a good and innocent man. The mansion is a reflection of that personality, with large, imposing and dark fences that serve as a shield to protect that magical garden full of sensitivity.

Much has been said about Burton and Asperger’s syndrome, and it is difficult to know with certainty what the director’s childhood and life have been like. But we can appreciate certain features of this syndrome in Edward’s character, such as his clumsiness with his hands, his problems adapting, and his deep inner world. Without a doubt, Edward Scissorhands It leaves us with a wonderful lesson in acceptance, it teaches us not to be afraid of other sensitivities and to look more deeply inside people.

You might be interested…