Edward Scissorhands

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Character: Kim Boggs

Directed by: Tim Burton

Written by: Tim Burton, Caroline Thompson

Cast Members: Johnny Depp, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker, Vincent Price, Alan Arkin

Release date: December 14, 1990

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama

In a castle high on top of a hill lives an inventor's greatest creation - Edward, a near-complete person. The creator died before he could finish Edward's hands; instead, he is left with metal scissors for hands. Since then, he has lived alone, until a kind lady called Peg discovers him and welcomes him into her home. At first, everyone welcomes him into the community, but soon things begin to take a change for the worse.

Rating:

Burton conceived Edward Scissorhands from his childhood upbringing in suburban Burbank, California. During pre-production of Beetlejuice, Caroline Thompson was hired to adapt Burton’s story into a screenplay, and the film began development at 20th Century Fox, after Warner Bros. denied. Edward Scissorhands was then fast tracked after Burton’s critical and financial success with Batman. The majority of filming took place in Lutz, Florida between March 10 and June 10, 1990. The film also marks the fourth collaboration between Burton and film score composer Danny Elfman.

The leading role of Edward had been connected to several actors prior to Depp’s casting: a meeting between Burton and the preferred choice of the studio, Tom Cruise, was not fruitful, and Gary Oldman and Tom Hanks turned down the part. The character of The Inventor was devised specifically for Vincent Price, and would be his last major role. Edward’s scissor hands were created and designed by Stan Winston.

Edward Scissorhands was released to positive feedback from critics, and was a financial success. The film received numerous nominations at the Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, Saturn Awards, as well as winning the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. Both Burton and Elfman consider Edward Scissorhands their most personal and favorite work.

Quotes

Tim talks my language, you know? Did you ever meet somebody who you can just talk to? That’s how I feel about Tim Burton. We have the same sensibilty; we think the same things are funny.
On Tim being her dream director

Winona’s always done these dark roles, and I wanted to see her in a cheerleader outfit. Winona is, basically, a great actress. The role in Edward Scissorhands is tricky because she plays a suburban youth who doesn’t have very much of an edge. Winona brings a weight and believability that isn’t inherent in the role. But she does it very naturally. You don’t see Winona working at it. Her process remains invisible. And acting that way requires a great deal of confidence.
Tim Burton, on Winona as Kim