Edward Scissorhands

I chose to write about Edward scissorhands because it tackles two aspects of this module at once. I will be reviewing it as one of my favourite films and also because it has been greatly influenced by german expressionism, more specifically the film “The cabinet of dr. caligari”. In this imaginative and alternative observation of a recluse to suburban society, Tim burton manages to create a beautifully dark and gothic athmosphere contrasting directly to the pastel-coloured typical suburban houses and housewives (which are pastel coloured as well as their outfits).
In the film, Edward is the son/creation of a genious inventor who dies just before finishing his masterpiece, leaving Edward with scissors instead of hands. There is a strong correlation between this concept of creation and Frankenstein throughout the film, both influenced by “the cabinet of dr caligari”. The techniques represented by german expressionism such as dark shadows, unusual sets and camera angles that vary from extreme high to extreme low are used in Edward scissorhands to create the classic horror film mood.