Tim Burton's Film 'Edward Scissorhands'

Ever since Edward was built, he was never going to fit into a normal lifestyle. Tim Burton’s film Edward Scissorhands, described as a ‘romantic, dark fantasy’, captures the effect of change in a monotonous American neighbourhood. Burton uses many different effects to portray that western society and lifestyle is very dull and full of carbon-copied people following the crowd. Through the use of colour contrast, stereotypes and an unusual visitor to the neighbourhood, Burton is able to convey his idea of American society very clearly in his film.

Burton uses a contrast of light pastels and black to give an effect of good versus evil. Burton has made Edward’s appearance in keeping with a character that is antagonistic and evil, with scary claw-like hands and a black, skin-tight bodysuit. His expression is full of melancholy and anxiety. His mansion is dark and gothic looking, a house of horror. It’s broken and old, with strange objects held within. The mansion’s location, at the top of a steep hill, considers its isolation, hidden within the clouds. However, appearances are deceptive;
It is indicative of the era in which the previous generation grew up, highlighting the struggles our families had to endure. Burton uses impressive techniques to communicate and suggest deeper ideas and opinions to allow the audience to make their own interpretations. His characterisation and dialogue allow the audience to relate to real people and situations. Being different is something that still plagues the world in which we live today. It seems that many years later, people are still getting judged and discriminated against for being ‘different’. This is unfair and disappointing, as I’m sure Burton had other intentions for the outcome of his film. Society still has a long way to go before acceptance can be fully