Delivered in black and white with touches of slow motion under a moving score, this film has a quality that really doesn't match the plot if you were to describe it. To do it a disservice, the death of an old man leaves all his puppets at a loss until they decide that they can carry on by propping him up and essentially pretending he is still alive and well. Given that the puppets have a bit of the Kermit about them, essentially what we have here is, put crudely, is The Muppets Weekend at Bernie's. Of course this is a stupid way to say it, because if it really did go down that road it would be a very different film and it probably wouldn't have been quite as touching.
Instead what we get is a very delicately done story where the puppets try to carry on and we see their efforts. At the same time we have a very beautiful score which is played by the puppets – in arty, nicely lit shots. These shots are extended into the film where we get slow- motion movement of the characters as they react with sadness and respect. Considering that these are computer-animated puppets without too much scope for emotion in their face, the use of body language, shot framing and music is important and very well done. It is surprising how affecting it all is for such a small odd film.
Probably best not to try to describe it but even as the film initially feels weird and unusual, the strengths of the film soon make such things fade as the clever delivery draws you in and is quite touching overall.
Instead what we get is a very delicately done story where the puppets try to carry on and we see their efforts. At the same time we have a very beautiful score which is played by the puppets – in arty, nicely lit shots. These shots are extended into the film where we get slow- motion movement of the characters as they react with sadness and respect. Considering that these are computer-animated puppets without too much scope for emotion in their face, the use of body language, shot framing and music is important and very well done. It is surprising how affecting it all is for such a small odd film.
Probably best not to try to describe it but even as the film initially feels weird and unusual, the strengths of the film soon make such things fade as the clever delivery draws you in and is quite touching overall.