Film Review: Edward Scissor Hands

The Set Design in Edward Scissorhands

Fig 1

Edward Scissor hands setting is in a 1950's suburban setting called the Pasco County. That is very colourful in comparison to its polar opposite which is dark and Avante Garde castle that you could argue is like Burtons avatar. This could be a signifier for his alienation or difference working with Disney/ Beauty and the Beast. This specific set design really helps at telling the story just from the set. for example "Burton's modern fairytale has an almost palpably personal feel:it is told gently, subtly and with an infinite sympathy for an outsider."(Lee,2018)  This makes the set really vital for narrative purpose and understanding the main protagonist.

Fig2

The set design starts changing slightly when Edward becomes more 'accepted' and seen as special and this adds a contrasting sense of belonging to what we first see from the original appearance of the setting."Clipping Hedges, is to fashion hairdos that the women mark them self out as something special. (theguardian.com,2018)  The setting is very superficial and cosmetic and Edward brings out unorthodoxy as he is not a stereotype.

Fig 3

Its scenes like this you can see how important the set design was in this film, here you can see how it could resemble a beauty and the beast vibe and how after Edward becomes a threat he retreats back to his home and is seen sort of monstrous and very alone.

"(Winona Ryder) is like a living angel to the mesmerised Edward,his ongoing inspiration not only during the course of their initial encounter, but also after many decades of separation." (Honeybone,2018)

So in the conclusion the set design and interior was very vital because it emphasis his decision to stay alone in his fathers castle and his relationship with this women who he can't be with.

Figure List
Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: http://www.revmodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Edward-Scissorhands-Mansion-Stairs.png [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/263649121_1280x720.jpg [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/movie-locations-then-now-edward-scissorhands-suburb-pictures-voodrew-1.jpg [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].

Bibliography

Lee, M. (2018). Edward Scissorhands, review: 'a true fairytale'. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11298442/Edward-Scissorhands-review-a-true-fairytale.html [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Theguardian.com. (2018). Edward Scissorhands | Reviews | guardian.co.uk Film. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,558617,00.html [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Honeybone, N. (2018). Film Review: Edward Scissorhands (1990) - HNN | Horrornews.net 2018 - Official Horror News Site. [online] HNN | Horrornews.net 2018 - Official Horror News Site. Available at: http://horrornews.net/103055/film-review-edward-scissorhands-1990/ [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018