So when will Edward Scissorhands be set? It is complicated

Eduardo Scissorhands is one of Tim Burton’s most beloved works, but it leaves a big question regarding its temporal setting. A year after exploring Gotham City in BatmanTim Burton returned to horror and fantasy stories with his unique visual style in Eduardo Scissorhands. Written by Caroline Thompson from a story by her and Burton, Eduardo Scissorhands introduces audiences to a unique main character: a young man raised by a lonely scientist who left him unfinished and with scissor blades for hands. As a result, Edward (Johnny Depp) lived in isolation in his father’s mansion for years.

When Edward is found by Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest), she takes him home and helps him integrate into society, which is a much bigger challenge than they could have anticipated. Edward ends up falling in love with Peg’s daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder), which makes him a dangerous enemy in the neighborhood. Although Eduardo Scissorhands was released in 1990, the story does not take place in that yearbut the film also doesn’t explicitly say when it’s set, and deducing the time setting is actually quite complicated.

Edward Scissorhands’ Time Setting Is Confusing

Edward Scissorhands has details from different decades

Eduardo Scissorhands has two different time settings. The film begins with an old woman telling a bedtime story to her granddaughter, and it’s the story of the man with scissors for hands. It then goes back in time to tell Edward’s story from the time he was found by Peg until Kim tells the town’s residents that he is dead, although it is unknown exactly how many years this goes back. Eduardo Scissorhands ends with the grandmother finishing the story, and she reveals herself to be an old Kim.

Now, in Edward’s story, there are many details in the neighborhood and inside the houses from different decades. Details such as the designs and colors of the house, along with the dresses and hairstyles of many of the town’s women, seem Eduardo Scissorhands was set in the 1950s, but there are other details like the VCRs and aerobics classes that are reminiscent of the 1980s. However, some of the women in town had a more 1960s or even 1970s style, so the town in Edward Scissorhands it’s a combination of decades.

Setting the time for Eduardo Scissorhands it also cannot be deduced when the beginning and end of old Kim are defined, as if it was set in 1990, the city is still a mixture of elements from different decades. It is generally assumed that Eduardo Scissorhands takes place in the 1970sbut there are details that may contradict this idea.

Edward Scissorhands’ unspecified time setting benefits the film

Edward Scissorhands’ Confusing Time Setting Is for the Better

Despite how confusing Eduardo Scissorhands‘The time setting is ultimately to the film’s benefit. Eduardo Scissorhands not fitting into a specific decade and being a mix of different ones helps give it a timeless quality, as it can be set in at least four different decades. Even though many elements are outdated, such as landline phones with rotary dials and the style of cars, Eduardo Scissorhands It doesn’t feel like an old movie. This is largely due to its central themes, such as discrimination and bullying, which were relevant decades ago and, unfortunately, still are.