Edward Scissorhands Film Study Essay-
Appearances can be Deceptive -
Edward
COSTUMING
Anotações:
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.
Black Leather
White
Face
Symbolism
Anotações:
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.
Non-human
looking
Scissors
Symbolism
Anotações:
Edward's 'scissor-hands' usually symbolise harm or violence, and are repeatedly mistaken for objects used for harm.
Scenes
The robbery
Dialogue
Anotações:
As Edward puts his hands up in an act of surrender, the police sees his hands and automatically assumes they are knives - dangerous.
Lighting
Anotações:
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.
SETTING ASSOCIATED WITH HIM
Dark and evil at first glance
Colour
Mirror shot
Anotações:
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.
Camera angle
Low
Anotações:
The camera shows a high camera angle when focusing on Peg, showing her feelings of being overwhelmed and small in comparison to the house.
High
Anotações:
The House is always positioned from a Low camera angle to how its presence is intimidating.
Inside is beautiful, alive and imaginative
Peg
Anotações:
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.
Music
Anotações:
The music is Edward's leitmotif played in a major key with arpeggios support when she walks in, giving a positive feel around it.
Jim
Costuming
Wears light, pastel colour
Body Language
Speech
Smiling, light tones
Anotações:
This is later shown to be a way make him seem more appealing and friendly.
Acts concerned for Edward.
Anotações:
This is later shown to be a manipulative gesture rather than a caring one.
With Kim
Very close and touchy, and affectionate
Anotações:
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.
Agrees with everything Kim says
Anotações:
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.
Town
Colour
Costuming
Key Scenes
Jim vs Edward 1
Anotações:
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.