Edward Scissorhands Film Study Essay- Appearances can be Deceptive -

Nota:

• Edward's appearance is socially recognisable as 'evil', rather than 'good'. However, Edward turns out to be much more pure-hearted than most of the other characters.

1. Black Leather
2. White Face
   1. Symbolism

      Nota:

      • These would be impressionable as dark and evil. These thoughts are later changed when we find out Edward is much more pure-hearted than any of the other characters.
3. Non-human looking
4. Scissors
   1. Symbolism

      Nota:

      • Edward's 'scissor-hands' usually symbolise harm or violence, and are repeatedly mistaken for objects used for harm.
   2. Scenes
      1. The robbery
         1. Dialogue

            Nota:

            • As Edward puts his hands up in an act of surrender, the police sees his hands and automatically assumes they are knives - dangerous. 
         2. Lighting

            Nota:

            • The police are framed in red lights - usually a sign of evil or anger, while Edward was framed in white; showing he doing what he thought was right.

1. Dark and evil at first glance
   1. Colour
      1. Mirror shot

         Nota:

         • When Peg adjusts the mirror, the juxtaposition shows the dark house against the bright pastel of the neighborhood. We naturally assume dark things are bad and light things are good, so this comparison makes us prejudge the house - seeing it as bad and the town as good.
   2. Camera angle
      1. Low

         Nota:

         • The camera shows a high camera angle when focusing on Peg, showing her feelings of being overwhelmed and small in comparison to the house.
      2. High

         Nota:

         • The House is always positioned from a Low camera angle to how its presence is intimidating.
2. Inside is beautiful, alive and imaginative
   1. Peg

      Nota:

      • Peg is stunned and shocked when she walks in (opening her mouth and stopping) from the beauty, saying, "Oh my goodness, it's so beautiful." Because we have been set up to view Peg from a positive Point of View, we naturally agree with her opinion.
   2. Music

      Nota:

      • The music is Edward's leitmotif played in a major key with arpeggios support when she walks in, giving a positive feel around it.

1. Wears light, pastel colour

1. Speech
   1. Smiling, light tones

      Nota:

      • This is later shown to be a way make him seem more appealing and friendly.
   2. Acts concerned for Edward.

      Nota:

      • This is later shown to be a manipulative gesture rather than a caring one.
2. With Kim
   1. Very close and touchy, and affectionate

      Nota:

      • Later in this film, this is shown to be more of a dominating and controlling gesture, rather than the affectionate and close way we see it earlier.
   2. Agrees with everything Kim says

      Nota:

      • This is shown to be a manipulative move to try and get Kim to like him, and to get Kim to agree with him - like when he convinces her to make Edward break into his house.

Nota:

• When Kevin yells and distracts Edward from his ice carving and makes Edward cut Kim, there is a moment which shows Jim in black and Edward in white with Kim as well in white. This shows the true nature of all characters.