Edward Scissorhands Review

 Edward Scissorhands, in my opinion, is one of Tim Burton's finest films. It stars Johnny Depp in one of his first film performances, and he gives perhaps his greatest performance.

The story basically goes like this: it's about a young man named Edward, who just happens to have scissors for hands. His creator (whom he refers to as his father), was a lonely genius who wanted to build himself a son. Before getting to finish his project, he has a heart attack, and he dies. So now Edward is left by himself, as an oddity in a mansion many in the neighborhood believe to be haunted.

A cosmetics saleswoman from Avon named Peg Boggs one day decides to go up to this mansion. The mansion, despite being darkly gloomy in a gothic-sort of way, does not bog down her enthusiasm. Upon meeting Edward for the first time, Peg realizes that he is actually a gentle and sensitive person, who doesn't mean any harm to any one. So, she decides to take him home to her family, who are all pretty tolerant. Her husband and son are actually pretty kind and respectful towards him, but it is when the daughter Kim enters the film, is when the story really starts to unfold.

The neighbors of this family are basically gossipy and bored middle-aged housewives, who are surprisingly rather curious and interested in Edward. He happens to have many talents which excite them, including cutting bushes in a fantastic shape, cutting their pets' hair, and also cutting the hair of the ladies themselves. Later in the film though, they are not as respective of him.

Edward also has to deal with several conflicted feelings; he feels grateful towards Peg, and he falls in love with her daughter, but he has problems expressing either of them. His obvious interest in Kim leads to several altercations and misunderstandings with Kim's douchebag of a boyfriend Jim (Anthony Michael Hall, playing strongly against type), one incident in particular ending Edward up in questioning with the police. All of the actors are in extremely fine form; Winona Ryder is great in the role of Kim, bringing the much needed charm which makes us understand what draws Edward to her; Dianne Wiest as Peg also gives a great performance, showing kindness and empathy, and later regret and guilt in an amazing manner.

But the best performance of all is given by Depp; he is so subtle and emotionally honest, that he makes Edward likable, sympathetic and watchable all at once. Depp actually doesn't have that many lines, which just enhances the power of the mystery of the man. This is the movie which established Johnny Depp as a leading man, and it's really easy to see why.

This is a great movie, and I basically loved everything about it. On the other hand, I was a bit let down by the ending, which I felt could have been far more powerful and satisfactory. The movie is still brilliant, and it is a must watch.

Score : 4.5/5