Johnny Depp didn't seem to be good enough to play a tragic character without words. And Winona Ryder did not do too much acting in this film. I don't know whether they had any good performances before this, but I know for sure that they were amazing in some more recent films. So I guess they might be just too young to act to their full potential in this film. Still like it.
shareNot strong enough? What are you even talking about? They were not playing "strong" characters! Johnny Depp did a masterful job with the character and it has become very iconic and memorable because of his performance and the way he portrayed the character.
http://goo.gl/NA95XH
Sorry about my english. I meant to say that they are not GOOD enough. From the plot Edward should have a strong feeling about Kim, and he should be grateful for Peg, but his years of seclusion made him unable to express his feeling. So there should be a conflict between his sentimental inside and his habitual reservedness. Also during the final scene, his emotions should be very complicated: the joy for his finally requited love for Kim, the unwilling conclusion that he should return to his seclusion for everyone's benefit, and the guilt after killing (you could argue that he was not been taught about guilt so he wouldn't feel guilty, but I don't think Tim Burton was trying to make that kind of argument in this film, because it's a whole new topic). All these feelings constantly conflicted with each other, and should be reflected in Depp's acting. But all I can see from him are contrived physical clumsiness, emotional apathy, and the occasional inarticulate sadness (I guess that's why Depp was praised, but I sincerely don't think it worked). I actually likes Johnny Depp, so my excuse for him is that he was too young then.
shareHe's also not a human being, he is a monster...
shareThat'd be my excuse too, but even so, I don't think we were supposed to see the emotions play out in the way you describe. The sadness/apathy you described IS, along with a well-matched soundtrack, and the expressions on each actor's face really hits home. It's a much more shadowed and subtle, albeit unusual and a bit unrealistic, way of depicting all the emotions and reactions you've stated ought to be there.
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I think Winona acted with simplicity, which perfectly suited her innocent character.
Johnny Depp is also being underestimated here.....it was almost a 'Chaplinesque' performance he put in. Not an easy thing to do at all! I believe he put a huge amount of thought and research into playing Edward.
:-)
I think that Depp is very effective here at expressing emotion and existence through minimalism. He conveys a deep sense of instinct, which is not easy to do when playing a 'freak.' The trap would be to overact, and he refrains from that tendency.
Ryder is certainly adequate in my opinion. Her role is fairly banal, but like Depp, she does not oversell matters.
It's unfortunate that you think that. I disagree greatly, especially about Johnny Depp. I know most people think Jack Sparrow is his greatest character, but I think Edward Scissorhands is his best character (and my favorite character). The subtlety used in this role is amazing.
I don't think that even with his conflicting feelings that he would really know what to do with them. He does love Kim but I don't think he would ever been too dramatic about it. He felt something for her, something the moment he saw her picture but being a man-made person, who was not finished, who has lived on his own for years... what could he do with those feelings? No one would tell him what that meant as he probably didn't even know what to do about it. I think it becomes a bit more clear for him as time goes on, anger, love, discomfort, confusion, I think all becomes more pronounced.
As for Wynona Ryder, I think she was just fine for her character, unlike Depp, she didn't need to be subtle as she has had people around her and knew how to express herself unlike Edward.
If you don't think they're good for these roles... think about the scene at the end when Kim is about to leave him, after he killed Jim, she kisses him, tells him she loves him and Edward closes his eyes content at hearing her confession. Now he knew that she loved him in return. Great moment. Right alongside the scene where she leans into him and says "Hold me" and he tries but says "I can't." Just ugh! I love them.
I do think it's a Dramedy instead of just a comedy
I think Winona's character is a female teenager version of an "everyman". She's just an ordinary, conventional high school girl, susceptible to peer pressure but kind-hearted enough to warm to Edward.
All the characters in this film are broadly sketched, and intentionally so, there's no one like Hamlet or Iago here so you can't really say Johnny and Winona aren't good enough actors for their characters.
I thought they both were really strong and you could see their emotions in their portrayals. I think Johnny Depp is at his best here, one of his best characters and portrayals
Bear in mind that this is a fairytale and satire so the characters are broadly sketched. There was no room for "exploring" deeper.
Though I do think it's great that Depp and Ryder doesn't over-play it, as the genre allows for over-playing.They keep it at a "normal" rate, or as normal as the film allows it.
Like many others, I totally disagree. Depp as Edward was perfect casting, and Winona was very beautiful in the film (ok, she's not brilliant but she does a convincing job).
Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry!
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I thought Depp knocked it out of the park as Edward.
Don't know what you're even talking about here. Perfect casting.