ABSTRACT
Tim Burton makes deceptively simple films. They are narratively straightforward, uneven, visually rich, and emotionally dense; as a rule, their grotesque characters, encased into massive mythological frames, are borrowed from elsewhere – traditional fairy tales, classics of world literature, contemporary fiction, and popular culture. As far as his visuals are concerned, Burton operates with a multicoloured web of references which include Gothic architecture, German expressionism and scifikitsch. His films’ plotlines are roughly sewn together, rather like Edward Scissorhands’ costume. The author does not even try to hide their obvious seams, loose threads, hanging buttons, holes and shabby patches. Narratively and visually, Burton’s films are pure Gothic Haute Couture.
