The price of being a standout among the disabled is steep, as proven by Tim Burton's classic 1990 film "Edward Scissorhands." The movie tells the story of Edward, a gentle and kind-hearted outsider who possesses scissors for hands. Despite his unique appearance, Edward becomes an integral part of the community when he moves in with the Boggs family, where he falls in love with Kim.
However, this acceptance comes with a catch - Edward's exceptionalism makes him an object of fascination and exploitation. The neighbors, including Joyce and Esmeralda, treat him as a curiosity, gawking at his disability rather than seeing beyond it. When Edward attempts to navigate the complexities of relationships, he is met with condescending remarks and unwanted advances.
The film critiques the notion that being different makes someone exceptional. This idea can lead to exclusion and marginalization, as those who don't fit societal norms are seen as threats or relics. The power dynamics between abled and disabled individuals are starkly illustrated in the Boggs family's interactions with Edward. They use his disability to their advantage, exploiting him for his unique skills without truly understanding or respecting his boundaries.
Moreover, the film highlights the lack of consent in relationships involving disabled characters. When Joyce makes unwanted advances towards Edward, the audience is left wondering why he hasn't rejected her outright. This perpetuates a culture where disabled individuals are expected to be grateful for attention and affection from abled people, rather than being treated as equals.
The film's portrayal of disability raises more questions than it answers. What does it mean to be exceptional? Is it a positive or negative trait? How do we balance acceptance with respect and understanding? The answer lies not in romanticizing or fetishizing disability but in recognizing the complexities and nuances involved.
As the film concludes, Edward is forced back into isolation, his isolation a poignant reminder that even those who are accepted may still be seen as outsiders. As we reflect on "Edward Scissorhands," it becomes clear that being different doesn't make someone exceptional - it makes them human.
However, this acceptance comes with a catch - Edward's exceptionalism makes him an object of fascination and exploitation. The neighbors, including Joyce and Esmeralda, treat him as a curiosity, gawking at his disability rather than seeing beyond it. When Edward attempts to navigate the complexities of relationships, he is met with condescending remarks and unwanted advances.
The film critiques the notion that being different makes someone exceptional. This idea can lead to exclusion and marginalization, as those who don't fit societal norms are seen as threats or relics. The power dynamics between abled and disabled individuals are starkly illustrated in the Boggs family's interactions with Edward. They use his disability to their advantage, exploiting him for his unique skills without truly understanding or respecting his boundaries.
Moreover, the film highlights the lack of consent in relationships involving disabled characters. When Joyce makes unwanted advances towards Edward, the audience is left wondering why he hasn't rejected her outright. This perpetuates a culture where disabled individuals are expected to be grateful for attention and affection from abled people, rather than being treated as equals.
The film's portrayal of disability raises more questions than it answers. What does it mean to be exceptional? Is it a positive or negative trait? How do we balance acceptance with respect and understanding? The answer lies not in romanticizing or fetishizing disability but in recognizing the complexities and nuances involved.
As the film concludes, Edward is forced back into isolation, his isolation a poignant reminder that even those who are accepted may still be seen as outsiders. As we reflect on "Edward Scissorhands," it becomes clear that being different doesn't make someone exceptional - it makes them human.
I mean, I get why they're gonna say Tim Burton's a genius and all that, but let's be real, Edward's whole existence is basically just an excuse for the Boggses to have some drama in their lives 
. Like, yeah, he's got scissors for hands, but does anyone ever really talk about his feelings or what he wants? It's always like, "Oh, poor Edward, he's so misunderstood." No, he's got agency too, you know? 
And can we please stop fetishizing disability and just start seeing people as individuals with their own thoughts and stuff? 
The film's trying to make some real points about acceptance vs. respect, but it's all kinda...surface level, you feel me? 
it's like, what would've happened if Edward had just said no to Joyce's advances instead of puttin that on a pedestal for her? It's all about respect and boundaries, you know? And I think that's somethin we should be talkin' more about.
... i mean, who wouldn't want to be part of a community and have people like you but at the same time its so sad how he gets treated like a freak. and u know what really gets me is when kim falls in love with him and then she just ignores his feelings when he needs her most 
its not that hard to put urself in his shoes and try 2 understand his perspective.
... its not about being exceptional, its just about being human.
The way Edward is treated by the community is super sad and it highlights how far we still have to go in terms of acceptance and understanding 
. I mean, Edward's uniqueness is actually a total double-edged sword 
. On one hand, it's cool that he's got scissorhands and can, like, trim your hair or something 
. But on the other hand, people are always gawking at him like he's some kinda freak show attraction 
. And don't even get me started on how the Boggs family uses his disability for their own gain 
. It's like, hello, consent is key, guys! 
Edward doesn't just magically become okay with being objectified and exploited because he's "special". Newsflash: being different isn't special, it's just...different 
. And honestly, I think the film's trying to say something deep about how we should treat people with disabilities, but sometimes it feels like it's just saying "Hey, be nice to edgy outsiders!" 
Like, sure, let's all try to be more inclusive and understanding, but can we please stop fetishizing disability? 
and I swear, have you ever tried a good ol' fashioned American diner breakfast? Like, pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon... the works! 
And then I started thinking about how much we take our physical abilities for granted. Like, most of us can just walk into a store or grab something from the fridge without breaking a sweat 
. But what about those who need a bit more consideration? Accessibility is so important, you know? 
.
. I was scrolling through my feed the other day and saw this amazing post about a person with a disability who's also an incredible artist 
.
What's important is that we treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of whether they have a disability or something else that makes them stand out.
The film raises some tough questions about consent and acceptance, and I think we should keep having those conversations so we can become a more inclusive society. 
. And don't even get me started on the lack of consent in relationships – that's just unacceptable 
.
. We shouldn't be ashamed or afraid of our differences, but rather learn to appreciate and celebrate them 
And it's crazy how people try to use our talents for their own gain without even asking if we're okay with it. I mean, consent is key, you know? 
It's so frustrating.
. The way the Boggs family treats Edward is just wrong, you know? It's like they're seeing him as a freak or something instead of really getting to know him 
I think the movie is kinda deep man, it's like 
. It's a stark reminder that even when we claim to accept someone, there can be a power imbalance that needs to be addressed. The lack of consent in relationships involving disabled characters is particularly problematic 
.
.
80s movies were something else, remember when you could just walk into a theater and watch whatever you wanted? also that Johnny Depp as Edward still gives me chills, he's so underrated for his acting skills
. But what's your take on it?