Jhonny Depp's Independent films from 1990 to 2002 and Tim Burton's initial collaborations

Disillusioned by his portrayal of a teen idol in 21 Jump Street, Depp started choosing projects that interested him more than those he thought would be financially successful.

Cry-Baby, a musical comedy set in the 1950s, was John Waters' first movie to be released in 1990. Although it did not perform well at the box office when it was first released, over time it has become a cult favourite.

Alongside Dianne Wiest and Winona Ryder, Depp starred as the title character in Tim Burton's romantic fantasy movie Edward Scissorhands in 1990. The movie made $53 million domestically and received positive reviews.

In preparation for the role, Depp watched many Charlie Chaplin films to study how to create sympathy without dialogue.

Rita Kempley of The Washington Post said Depp "brings the eloquence of the silent era to this part of few words, saying it all through bright black eyes and the tremulous care with which he holds his horror-movie hands." Both publications praised Depp for his performance, with Peter Travers of Rolling Stone writing that he "artfully expresses the fierce longing in gentle Edward; it's a terrific performance."

For the movie, Depp received his first Golden Globe nomination. A species of extinct arthropod with noticeable claws was named Kootenichela deppi in honour of Depp as a result of this role (chela is Latin for claws or scissors).

Depp had no film releases in the next two years, except a brief cameo in Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), the sixth installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

In 1993, he made three film appearances. He portrayed an eccentric and illiterate silent film fan who befriends a mentally ill woman and her brother in the romantic comedy Benny and Joon, which went on to become a sleeper hit. Depp "may look nothing like Buster Keaton, but there are times when he genuinely seems to become the Great Stone Face, bringing Keaton's mannerisms sweetly and magically to life," according to Janet Maslin of The New York Times.

For the performance, Depp was nominated for a second Golden Globe. What's Eating Gilbert Grape, a drama about a dysfunctional family that also starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Juliette Lewis, was his second movie of 1993.

Although it did not do well commercially, critics gave it favourable reviews. Depp "manages to command centre screen with a greatly affable, appealing characterization," according to Todd McCarthy of Variety, despite the majority of reviews focusing on Leonardo DiCaprio, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.

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