Intro. The film begins in a small Victorian town, in grayish, icy and cold tones, showing the contrast between the wealth of aristocrats and the rigidity of ordinary life. Danny Elfman's music leads the rhythm, presenting the melancholic and peculiar atmosphere of the place.
Right from the start, we see the Everglots, a noble but bankrupt family, eager for the marriage of their daughter Victoria to Victor, the son of the Van Dort, a family of wealthy merchants who seek to ascend socially. The marriage is arranged to unite interests: the Everglots need money, the Van Dorts want status.
Meanwhile, Victor appears as a shy, awkward and dreamy young man, different from the rigid environment in which he lives. The scene of preparation for the wedding rehearsal shows her difficulty in dealing with pressure and expectations. He can't memorize his vows and fumbles constantly, generating some frustration in his parents and in-laws.