'Edward Scissorhands' (1991) - Film Review

Figure 1- Tim Burton. (1991). Edward Scissorhands [Poster] 

This review analyses Tim Burton’s well-known gothic, fantasy film Edward Scissorhands (1991), explicitly focusing on Postmodernism and how this relates in the film showcasing a postmodernism family. Referring to the works of; Jim Powell’s book ‘Postmodernism for Beginners’ (1998) exploring the term of postmodernism and what it means, Dyske’s ‘Postmodern family’s’ talking about the family support system under the influence of postmodernism, M. Westwood’s article on how Edward becomes a part (2013), and Sarah Jays’ ‘How is the 1950s re-imagined through the lens of Tim Burton’s films?’ (2008) focusing on the idealised suburban family within Burtons’ films. This review will explore the terms Modernism and Postmodernism, using the Boggs family as a prime example of nuclear family, and then seeing how Edward changes the dynamic of this to resemble that of a post Modernistic family.

Edward Scissorhands (1991) tells the story of an inventor who creates an animated human being, known as Edward, during his making Edward has scissors for hands, but before the scientist could replace them with hands he passes away leaving Edward to fend for himself. Luckily an Avon sales representative from the suburban are Peg discovers Edward when walking around in the gothic castle up on the hill. Peg then offers to take him in, but what dangers and adventures lie ahead for a man with scissors for hands?

Modernism is a series of cultural movements that originated from the enlightenment (understandings) of the late 19^th to the early 20^th century, the importance of the movement was the concept of making ‘it’ new, having a radical change of thought that steps away from enlightenment, that focuses on looking into rationality and logic. Modernists liked the proposal of capitalism, industry and materiality Modernism movement sought for a universal truth, seeking an egalitarian society. (C. DuBois, 2016) From this it is understood that there was somewhat of a hierarchy who believe logic is the way forward, this idea was shown in different forms be it literature, music or art. “Modern art caused a divide in the culture. The middle class couldn’t understand it, thus leading to the rise” to a kind of ‘priesthood’ of scholars and critics. Their job was to explain Modernism’s mysteries.” (J. Powell (1998))

However, during the mid to late 20^th century the idea of Postmodernism came about. Instead of being the opposite of the Modernism movement it is instead viewed as a critique on the movement, rather than opposing of it, Postmodernists looked at the Modernist movement critically. While the Modernists idealised an egalitarian society, they in turn was creating a chaotic system that was then still being manipulated by higher powers. This is what the Postmodernists feared, they saw this idealised concept as more of a danger to society as it would cause havoc, as it would have everyone thinking the same way. Postmodernists brought high and low art together to criticize the society and Modernist movement saying that everything was subjective. Modernists “sought out to restore a new center, a new sense of purpose, a new sense of design, form and depth a new sense of primordial origin in myth, Postmodernists often see no reason for a center. Instead they favour a decentering a play of chance, anti-form, and surface.” (J. Powell (1998)) This highlights how cautious Postmodernism is, as it focuses around the irrational and looking at the danger that this idealised Modernism movement would have.

Ihab Hassan, a Postmodern theorist tried to define the two movements by showcasing some contrasts between Modernism and Postmodernism. (see fig 2)

Figure 2- Ihab Hassan list of terms. (2013)

The concept of a nuclear family derives from a Modernistic view. The nuclear family is seen as a structure which consists of two parents of two different genders and two children. It firstly originated in 17^th century Europe, centring around the views of the church, and theocratic governments. Due to the rise of capitalism the nuclear family structure was seen of more of a financial unit.  It wasn’t until the 1960s (when Edward Scissorhands (1991) is set) that the nuclear family became very common, as at the time economic and industrial booms resulted in higher wages, making the possibility of younger parents to afford their own house. (M. Mayntz. (N/A)) (see fig 3)

Figure 3- The Nuclear Family (2015)

“The suburban family was idealized through television programs such as: The Donna Reed Show, Leave it to Beaver, and Father Knows Best, in which wholesome nuclear families, presided over by a firm yet jocular paternal figure, were shown in various domestic-centred narratives.” (S. Jay 2008) These programs shown in the 1960s really centred around the concept of nuclear families, this really effect the characters within Edward Scissorhands (1991) as they too were set within this time frame, with the main Boggs family being of a nuclear family structure.

Contrary to this Postmodernists view family, not a structure of order. But instead understands families are chaotic and don’t always run as a unit, and instead tend to have a lot more freedom and individuality than they would have in a modernistic world, under the idea of a nuclear family. “A family is essentially a unit of support system. There were days when human beings could not survive without it. Those days are over. Today, most of us can survive perfectly fine on our own without receiving any support from our families. This renders family as a support system less meaningful.” (Dyske2002) This could then be considered as a rejection to that modernistic idea of universal truths, as instead rule is more flexible, with roles being switched and reverse within the family structure.

In relation to Edward Scissorhands (1991) the two views of postmodernism and modernism are both clearly represented. The main family of the fil The Boggs’ represent the idea of modernism, not only by them being portrayed as a nuclear family, consisting of two children: Kim and Kevin, and two parents Peg and Bill. But also, being surrounded by an idealised modernistic suburbia.

Meanwhile, the character of Edward arguably symbolises the idea of Postmodernism. An example of this would be when Peg takes in Edward at the beginning of the film, in doing this not only is he being accepted into the community, but he is also then in turn changing and altering the family.

The house hold is now no longer nuclear family, so it loses that idealised modern dynamic, as it is being altered and changed due to the presence of Edward. Edward then converts the family into post modernistic house hold, consisting of more members and switched role.  This can be seen when Edward takes on the father’s role within the nuclear family dynamic by doing some of the physical labour, around the garden. (see fig 4)

Figure 4- Edward cutting the bush in Boggs’s garden Edward Scissorhands (1991) [Still]

The conflict between the two views is also addressed within the movie, with a slight conflict in ideals show between the citizens and Edward. For example, Bill tries to instruct Edward about going into business and changing his ways on how he does things, almost trying to converge him into their societal norms. “In their acts of befriending Edward, the Boggs family encourage and even tease Edward. Peg fosters his creativity, and Kim and Kevin act as if he is all right in his uniqueness. Even Mr. Boggs tries to instruct Edward in normalcy by telling him, “You need to learn not to take things so seriously” (M. Westwood. (2013)) This quote from the film really highlights the postmodernism views on fear of modernistic idealised world and the chaotic nature that surrounds such a concept.

To conclude, Burtons Edward Scissorhands (1991) really incapsulates the two views of postmodernism and modernism, showing their contrasting idealised concepts for a better future. While the Boggs are living prosperous in the modernised suburban life, Edwards post modernistic theme really helps to highlight the flaws in this utopia, showing the chaos that can come with such a life.

Bibliography

Cinzia DuBois (2016) Modernism vs Postmodernism | Unemployed Philosopher [YouTube clip] Available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM-OaHSvyYk Last accessed 25/10/2018

Dyske. (2002). Postmodern Family. Available: https://dyske.com/paper/723  Last accessed 25/10/2018.

Jim Powell (1998) [Book] Postmodernism for Beginners. New York; London: Writers and Readers

Melissa Mayntz. (N/A). Definition of a Nuclear Family. Available: https://family.lovetoknow.com/definition-nuclear-family Last accessed 25/10/2018.

M. Westwood. (2013). In Tim Burrton's film, Edward Scissorhands there are characters who are admirable? Discuss. Available: https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/tim-burrtons-film-edward-scissorhands-there-462974  Last accessed 25/10/2018.

Sarah Jay. (2008). How is the 1950s re-imagined through the lens of Tim Burton’s films? Available: https://sarahjay.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/how-is-the-1950s-re-imagined-through-the-lens-of-tim-burtons-films/  Last accessed 25/10/2018

Harvard Illustrations list

Figure 1- Tim Burton. (1991). Edward Scissorhands [Poster] Available: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/ Last accessed 25/10/2018.

Figure 2- Ihab Hassan list of terms. (2013) Available: https://thegreatwildherring.wordpress.com/tag/modernism/ Last accessed 25/10/2018

Figure 3 – The Nuclear Family (2015) Megan Burton: One, Big, Happy TV Family How American families on TV have changed over the years. Available: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/how-american-tv-families-change-over-years  Last accessed 25/10/2018.

Figure 4- Edward cutting the bush in Boggs’s garden Edward Scissorhands (1991) [Still] Available: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/mediaviewer/rm3746714368 Last accessed: 25/10/2018