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Facade ': An Analysis Of The Film Edward Scissorhands'

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Friendly Facade:
An Analysis of "Edward Scissorhands"

Director Tim Burton, in his movie "Edward Scissorhands", suggests acceptance isn't always found where it's believed to be at. He supports his claim by utilizing music, framing and lighting. Burton's purpose is to criticize the tendency to only partially accept someone or only pretend to accept them by using a friendly facade in order to entertain the audience and make them think. He establishes a bitter tone for outcasts and loners. In the beginning of the movie, just after the opening sequence, you see Peg, a kindly saleswoman, going from door to door in a brightly lit town with vibrant colors everywhere you look. The high key lighting and bright colors help create a whimsical, lighthearted mood. After being unsuccessful at selling anything in town, she goes to an abandoned factory on a hill near the town, where she meets Edward, the protagonist of the film. As she walks through the building, the scene stays very dark with very few colors, making the scene feel quite foreboding. Edward comes back to town with Peg and stays with her. At one point, he is helping Peg cook dinner and he starts staring at a can of peas. …show more content…

In fact, they seem to like him more because of it. In this part of the movie the music is happier, lighter, and brighter. Later Edward starts struggling to fit in, and he starts getting pressured by the towns people to fit in and be more normal. When he doesn't change, Jim, the antagonist, ruins Edward's reputation by deceiving him into breaking into a house, which gets him arrested. After that incident the town begins to view Edward as someone who is dangerous and must be avoided. In this scene the music becomes eerier, darker, and more suspenseful. The music choice mirrors and helps emphasize the town's feelings towards

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