The Use Of Misfits In Tim Burton's Movies

Misfits are outcasts and they are only alone for a while until they find someone that will join them, then they are misfits together. Although society says that misfits can’t succeed, one director has proven that wrong and continues to leave his mark on that industry in a way that no one else can. Tim Burton is an accomplished director that is known for his dark elements and making characters that are relatable. He actively tackles the idea of misfits “fitting” into society in a lot of his films, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and Alice in Wonderland. Burton uses contrast in color, the music, long shots and close up in Charlie and the Chocolate, Edward Scissorhands, and Alice in Wonderland to illustrate that

outcasts can accomplish just as much, if not more, than people who “fit in” to society.
Burton uses contrast a lot in his movies, using the most visual one, color.

In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Burton continues to show the colorful side of his candy stores and factory while the town is very drab and dull. Also, he uses the same concept in a flashback, showing Wonka sitting in front of a gray house, with a head contraption on his head, trying to eat candy. This shows that Wonka was a past that makes him appreciate the candy more, making him to not want to leave the factory, causing him to become isolated and socially awkward. Also, Burton uses color in Edward Scissorhands. In the movie, there is a scene where Kim is seen in a white dress and walking out to the back yard, only to find Edward cutting an ice sculpture. She is then seen spinning around in the shavings that are in the air. This is supposed to make Kim look angelic with her dress but while you see her spinning, you can see Edward in the background with his black body. This adds to the contrast of characters, Kim is pure and angelic while Edward is dark and mysterious but innocent. Plus, Tim uses color contrast in Alice in Wonderland. While there are many characters that contrast personality wise, only two contrast color wise. The red Queen is always shown in a dark red dress and have pale skin. The White Queen is shown in a white dress and pale skin. Even their houses are contrasting. Red Queen has blood red drapes and carpet while the White Queen has white everything. Naturally, everyone gravitated towards the White Queen for support, making the Red Queen the

misfit.
Burton also uses long shots heavily. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there is the scene in the long hallway. It is a long shot of everyone in this really long, gray hallway, looking at a door. Then it shows the candy farm that is all colorful and you can hear Wonka talking about the room and you can tell that he doesn’t know what to say, plus doesn’t know how to act around people. This also proves the thesis of that misfits don’t fit in society but do in Tim Burton movies. Also in Alice and Wonderland, he uses long shots when Alice is falling down the rabbit hole. The scene happens right after she denies a princes’ hand in marriage, making her the misfit of the town. It shows that she is helpless and can’t do anything to save her. Both of these examples show that Burton loves the idea of misfits and outcasts.
Tim uses close ups to prove that misfits can’t belong in society. In Edward Scissorhands, there is a close up of Edward when he is with Joyce while she is trying to seduce him. He seems scared and unsure of how he is supposed to react. Later in the movie, it is revealed that Joyce said the Edward raped her and everyone believing it. It shows that misfits can seem to fit in, but sooner or later, someone will say something to ruin them. Also in Alice in Wonderland, there is a close up of Alice when she is being proposed to and turns down the prince. That made her the misfit of the town and kingdom. Both examples show, that while misfits seem to fit in, it’s not for long or people are waiting for you to mess up.