Comparing Edward Scissorhands And Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Modern society funnels people into a mold of who they should be, but those who differ from this mold tend to be just as or even more successful as those who fit society’s mold. In Tim Burton films a variety of cinematic techniques are used to isolate a specific character; while everyone else will appear to be similar. The film Edward Scissorhands misfit was Edward and in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the outcast was Willy Wonka. Both characters did not fit in with the rest of their peers but, they we’re still unique people in their own rights. Burton uses these outcast characters to suggest that even if you are different you still have the potential for great achievement.

In Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton uses Edward’s hands to single

him out from everyone else. Edward happens to have scissors for hands causing him to stand out from everyone else. The can assume that Edward is perceived as an outcast in his community because of his special gift. When Edward first moves into town he is perceived as local figure by his peers and is used as everyone’s personal topiary sculptor and beautician. But, after his first mistake he perceived as a monster buy everyone near him. This adds to the audiences understanding of how everyone’s perception of Edward changed.
Color is also used by Tim Burton in, Edward Scissorhands, to disconnect Edward from the rest of the town. Edward’s characteristics are very dark and dull, while everyone and the entire town as a whole appears to be very vibrant, causing a joyous mood. This contrast in colors shows a distinct shift between Edward and his surroundings. This leads the audience to view Edward as a dark person with a dark personality; which is a huge contrast from the enlightened setting placed around Edward.
Tim Burton uses flash-backs in, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to isolate Willy Wonka from the rest of the cast. Not very much is known about Wonka’s past until these flash-backs appear throughout the film; you learn that Willy Wonka’s father was a dentist and wouldn’t allow Wonka to eat candy. This strained relationship drove Willy Wonka to run away from his father and become the biggest candy marketer in the world. Everyone else in the film has a relationship with their parent, singling Willy Wonka out. Wonka even struggles with saying the word, parent, because of how bad his past relationship with his father haunts him. This implies that viewers identify as an awkward character because of his inability connect with others and appropriately interact with his peers.
Burton’s use of physical features, color, and flash-backs in Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory suggest people with unusual characteristics often can still find a way to succeed. Often outcast are criticized for their differences, but once society realizes the good their peculiar capabilities the outcast are embraced and looked upon as idols. Tim Burton is a renowned director and is well known his use of cinematic techniques to recluse characters; perhaps this suggest everyone should look at what characteristics they possess different from others and not look at them as a negative but as a positive.