Emmet Otter and his Ma are poor. Properly poor. Which wouldn't be a major problem for them if they didn't have certain obligations. Like Christmas presents. A local talent contest may provide a source of income for them though, but neither one wants to tell the other about their plan. Emmet ends up ruining Ma's washtub, needing it turned into a washtub bass for his role in the band, while Ma sells Emmet's tools to get some fabric required for the kind of dress a singer should wear on stage. It's a huge gamble, made even riskier by the presence of the rowdy Riverbottom Gang, who may also be interested in getting on stage and trying to win a prize.
A TV special that allowed Jim Henson to test the waters for the possibility, and practicality, of a Muppet movie, Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is as important as it is sweet. It's also really well-made, quickly transporting viewers to a new land populated by fictional characters that immediately feel completely real, no matter how many strings or limitations are on display.
Henson and co. always did a great job when it came to creating environments for their puppet creations, keeping everything to scale and beautifully textured, but there was always some magic sprinkled into their work. I never watched The Muppets and thought of the puppeteers bringing those characters to life. I simply enjoyed getting to spend time with Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the whole gang. It's the same here. I didn't once view this as a lesser effort, nor did I find any fault in the relative crudity of some of the character designs. I just thought about how cute Emmet and his Ma were, and I wanted everything to work out for them.
There's not much else to say about this. It's sweet, and gently heartbreaking during one or two tender moments. I am tempted to mention the wonderful lead performances, but that would just allow me to sink further into my delusion of believing fully in Emmet and Ma. The cuteness of the puppets does help everyone to accept the cuteness and purity of the characters though, just as the design of the entertainingly mean members of the Riverbottom Gang convinces viewers from the start that they're no good.
There are a few good tunes, even if you won't necessarily be singing them once the film is over, some low-key comedic touches here and there, and a finale that should melt all but the coldest and stoniest of hearts. While this probably won't surpass one or two other Henson productions that you may already hold dear, it's in line with the warm-hearted and gentle nature of their greatest hits.
7/10
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