The answers to the two most frequently asked questions

I've been a huge fan of this film for over 10 years now and I’m here to set the record straight. I want to clear any confusion about these two questions once and for all not just because I enjoy writing about the films I love but because frankly, I’m getting a little tired of seeing them being asked over and over again. So here they are.

1. What time period is the film set in?

At a first viewing, you might be inclined to believe that this film takes place during the 60’s due to the fashion and décor of people’s houses. And you’d be at least partly right because Tim Burton based the neighbourhood off of the one he grew up in Burbank, California. (Which would have been during the 60’s.) However, Peg mentions “aerobics classes” and Jim says that his parents are getting a “VCR” and a “CD player”. Neither of these things would come into existence until the 1980s. So, the only accurate conclusion that we can come to based on these findings is that the film has no real set time period and instead borrows themes and styles from different decades of America’s past. Ultimately, the time or setting of the film is unimportant to the story and is more of an exaggerated recollection of memories from Tim Burton’s childhood than a story which takes place in any tangible period of history.

2. Where did Edward get all of that ice from?

This is the one that really grinds my gears, more so than the last one. And the answer that I have for this one actually ties into MANY different questions about all of the implausible/impossible story elements that come into play with this story. So please let me explain.

What many people don’t realize about this story is that it’s not meant to be realistic. I mean, it’s a wonder that people can’t figure that out for themselves based on the fact that the main character has SCISSORS for hands but I digress. Tim Burton, as well as other cast members have stated many times that this is a modern-day FAIRY TALE. How many Fairy Tales can you think of that actually make sense? Not many. There are different rules of realism that are considered when making a film with fantasy elements in it and Edward Scissorhands is no exception. It really is a dark fantasy film, placed in a modern setting when you think about it. So there doesn’t have to be an answer for everything. Not everything has to make sense. And if everything in the story did make sense, I think the film would be losing a lot of the endearing qualities that make it stand apart from everything else.

In short, if you have to ask “Where did he get the ice from?” then I’m afraid you’ve missed the point.

If you want to use your critical thinking skills on a Fantasy film, that's fine. I'm just saying, you would enjoy it a lot more if you suspended your disbelief.