Jeri Jacquin
Living up on the hill in a mysterious mansion lives Edward (Johnny Depp) and one day sales lady Peg (Dianne West) decides it’s time to expand her client base. Arriving at the home, she finds Edward living by himself and invited him to come home to her suburban neighborhood. Of course, this comes as a surprise to husband Bill (Alan Arkin) and kids Kevin (Robert Oliveri) and teen daughter Kim (Winona Ryder) with unimpressed boyfriend Jim (Athony Michael Hall). Understandably they are curious about the one thing that stands out about Edward, and that is his scissor hands.
Also curious are the neighbors, especially the very religious Esmerelda (O-Lan Jones) and the town flirt Joyce (Kathy Baker) each for their own reasons. Slowly, as the town sees what Edward can do, they embrace him and his beautifully creative talents. Keeping to himself, he begins to have feelings for the lovely Kim with an angry eye watching from Jim. From neighborhood trees to the ladies of the town, it is one creation after another until one neighbor decides its time to put fear in the hearts of the town.
That causes one horrible mishap after another as those who once embraced him, turn quickly into something more vicious than Edward could ever be. The end is devastating as a beautiful love is turned into something heartbreaking – but one can always dance in the snowfall.
Depp as Edward portrays a soul that is so deep and beautiful that it is almost impossible to believe that people could be so cruel to him – almost impossible. Depp’s performance is filled with such unspoken feeling that it oozes from every expression on Edward’s face and it is stunning. The character of Edward is iconic for so many reasons but the most important is because he is relatable in wanting to fit in and wanting to be loved, not used. I never miss a chance to watch this film and have shared it with kids and grandkids discovering they see exactly what I do.
West as Peg matches Depp’s endearing qualities as a generous lady who tries to see the good in people and sees beyond the surface which she does with Edward. West has always been an actress I have admired for her character choices but in this film, she is just the emotional match for Edward’s character in wanting to feel appreciated by her family and loved. Arkin as Bill believes in “happy wife-happy life” and goes along with her Edward-project. He treats the young man so well and learns to see beyond the scissors.
Ryder as Kim is a teen girl just going about her life doing all things teen, even having the wrong boyfriend as another relatable moment. Once past the obvious issue with his hands, the character of Kim follows along with her mother seeing something magical about what Edward can do and, discovering about herself, that she is worthy of someone who sees how special she truly is. This is such a wonderful role for the young Ryder and it stands the test of time. Baker as Joyce is that neighbor, we also can all relate too, narcissistic, gossiper and trouble maker to the point of destruction. She plays this role to the hilt and setting off a chain reaction that makes her character completely unlikeable – a sign of a performance well done!
Shout out to Hall as Jim, the boyfriend who needs to be thrown out of a window, I’ll let Edward take care of that for us all. I do love Hall being an 80s film lover and this was the next step up in his career.
Other cast include Conchata Ferrell as Helen, Susan Blommaert as Tinka, Caroline Aaron as Marge, Dick Williams as Officer Allen, Peter Palmer as the paper editor, John Davidson as the TV host and Vincent Price as The Inventor.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!
Bonus Features include a New Featurette: A Behind-the-Scenes Look with Cast and Crew and Audio Commentary: Two Separate Commentary Tracks, One from Director Tim Burton, One from Composer Danny Elfman and Trailers: High-Definition Versions of the Original Theatrical Trailers.
EDWARD SCISSORHAND is being released on Steelbook, which I love because it looks so awesome on the home entertainment library bookshelf! This is a film that has stayed in the hearts of everyone who first saw it in the 90s and is being seen by two more generations since in my family. It has actually on the list of Christmas films because it is so magical from Edward’s innocent look at the world to an ending that reminds us all that beauty can be found in the falling of snow, no matter where it comes from.
Director Burton continued after this film to bring such memorable stories as BEETLEJUICE, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, joining Depp again for ED WOOD, MARS ATTACKS!, CORPSE BRIDE, 9, FRANKENWEENIE, and ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, and many more. What all of these films have in common live in the mind of Burton and his ability to bring so many elements that have made this film so worthy of admiration.
From set designs, to special effects, costumes and animation, it is clear that families know what they like and it is what lives in Burton’s imagination. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS will always have a place in our hearts because he reinforces that it is about what is in our hearts and not on our hands.
In the end – his scars run deep!
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