Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Last updated:
October 11, 2024

Detailed Summary

The Creation of Edward

An elderly woman tells her granddaughter the story of Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp), an artificial man created by an eccentric inventor (Vincent Price). The inventor dies before finishing Edward, leaving him with scissor blades instead of hands. Edward lives alone in the inventor’s mansion until discovered by Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest), a local Avon saleswoman.

Edward’s Introduction to Suburbia

Peg brings Edward to her pastel-colored suburban neighborhood, where he is initially met with curiosity and kindness. Peg’s family, including her husband Bill (Alan Arkin) and daughter Kim (Winona Ryder), take Edward in. His unique talent for hedge trimming and hair cutting earns him admiration from the community.

Edward Falls in Love

Edward becomes infatuated with Kim, who initially fears him. As he integrates more into suburban life, his unique skills make him popular, and he opens a salon. However, his differences start to cause misunderstandings and fear among the neighbors.

The Turning Point

A series of unfortunate events, orchestrated by Kim’s jealous boyfriend Jim (Anthony Michael Hall), lead to Edward being falsely accused of a burglary. The community turns against him, seeing him as a monster rather than a misunderstood soul.

The Climactic Confrontation

The story culminates in a dramatic confrontation at the mansion. Jim attacks Edward, resulting in a fight where Edward accidentally kills Jim in self-defense. Kim, realizing her love for Edward, tells the townspeople that Edward and Jim killed each other to protect Edward from their wrath.

The Return to Isolation

Kim tearfully bids farewell to Edward, who retreats back to his mansion. The film ends with the elderly woman revealing herself as Kim, sharing how she believes Edward still lives alone, creating snow by carving ice sculptures.

Movie Ending

The film concludes with Edward returning to the mansion, now alone once again. Kim, in her old age, recounts that Edward still creates beautiful ice sculptures, causing it to snow in the town. This poetic ending emphasizes themes of love, isolation, and the enduring impact of Edward’s brief time in the suburban world.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, “Edward Scissorhands” does not have any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

“Edward Scissorhands” is a romantic dark fantasy film with elements of drama and comedy. It blends fairy tale aesthetics with contemporary settings, making it a modern classic.

Cast

Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands
Winona Ryder as Kim Boggs
Dianne Wiest as Peg Boggs
Anthony Michael Hall as Jim
Kathy Baker as Joyce
Alan Arkin as Bill Boggs
Vincent Price as The Inventor

Film Music and Composer

Danny Elfman composed the film’s haunting and whimsical score, which beautifully complements Tim Burton’s visual style.

Filming Locations

Lutz, Florida: Suburban neighborhood scenes.
Pasadena, California: The mansion and other key locations.

These locations help create the stark contrast between Edward’s gothic world and the pastel suburbia.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Makeup.
BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
Saturn Awards: Won Best Fantasy Film and Best Actor (Johnny Depp).

Behind the Scenes Insights

Tim Burton cast Johnny Depp due to his ability to convey deep emotion with minimal dialogue.
The character of Edward is inspired by Burton’s own feelings of isolation during his adolescence.
Vincent Price, who played the inventor, was a childhood idol of Tim Burton.

Inspirations and References

Gothic Literature and Fairy Tales: The film draws heavily on the themes and aesthetics of classic gothic literature and fairy tales.
Tim Burton’s Personal Experiences: Burton’s sense of being an outsider influenced the creation of Edward.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely known alternate endings. The film’s conclusion remains true to Burton’s vision of a bittersweet fairy tale.
Some deleted scenes include extended interactions between Edward and the neighborhood, further highlighting his integration and subsequent rejection.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Tim Burton and Caroline Thompson conceived the story, which is not based on a pre-existing book.
The novelization of the film follows the plot closely and was released shortly after the movie.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Edward’s Creation: The introduction of Edward and his inventor.
The Barbecue: Edward’s first interaction with the suburban community.
Ice Dance: Kim dancing in the snow created by Edward’s ice sculpting.
Final Confrontation: The fight between Edward and Jim in the mansion.

Iconic Quotes

“I am not complete.” – Edward Scissorhands
“Hold me.” – Kim Boggs
“I can’t.” – Edward Scissorhands

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Inventor’s Lab: The inventor’s lab is filled with classic horror and sci-fi movie props, paying homage to Vincent Price’s career.
Edward’s Scars: Each of Edward’s scars was meticulously designed to represent different stages of his incomplete creation process.

Trivia

Johnny Depp only speaks 169 words in the entire film.
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s first collaboration, leading to many more projects together.
The film was a major stepping stone in Winona Ryder’s career.

Why Watch?

“Edward Scissorhands” is a beautifully crafted film that combines whimsy, romance, and gothic elements. It poignantly explores acceptance, love, and the pain of being different. Depp and Ryder deliver outstanding performances, and Burton’s unique vision creates a timeless classic.