• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Film Articles and Lists

Why I Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol Every Christmas

Christmas means a lot to me: family… friendship… goodwill to all men… but mainly it means cheese, wine, and movies. And though there are a number of titles with regards to the latter that I find myself drawn back to year after year – Die Hard of course, The Grinch (it’s really so much better […]

James McAllister by James McAllister
2017-12-24 00:00
in Articles and Lists, Film
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Christmas means a lot to me: family… friendship… goodwill to all men… but mainly it means cheese, wine, and movies. And though there are a number of titles with regards to the latter that I find myself drawn back to year after year – Die Hard of course, The Grinch (it’s really so much better than many people believe), and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, to name but three – as far back as I can remember, it was The Muppets Christmas Carol that would be brought out every year, come what may.

The film’s genius lies in its simplicity – faithfully adapting Dickens’ eponymous novel, whilst instilling it with a cheeky comedic charm that’s absent from the mustier screen interpretations, but innate to ‘The Muppets’ brand. Casting Gonzo as Dickens himself, narrating the story with the help of his loyal sidekick Rizzo, the film assumes the guise of a big-screen pantomime production, with director Brian Henson – son of ‘Muppets’ creator Jim, making his feature debut here – adopting an infectiously madcap energy that he would later utilise once again when directing The Muppets’ equally as entertaining adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island’.

It’s a musical extravaganza: the opening number – “Scrooge” – playfully riffs on the traits of the titular character while managing to both mock & celebrate the customs of Victorian London; Kermit’s Bob Cratchit brings an enchanting festive spirit to “One More Sleep ‘Til Christmas that’s also echoed later in “It Feels Like Christmas”; and there’s a beautiful pathos to the Cratchit’s rendition of “Bless Us All”. In a film chock-full of love, compassion and virtue, it’s Miles Goodman’s magnificent compositions and spirited lyrics that truly soothe your soul

https://youtu.be/dhpu2tq9GG4

Key to it all is Michael Caine’s earnest iteration of Scrooge, the actor somehow managing to play it straight even when the film’s manner is consumed by Muppet-induced madness; perceptively echoing the shifting tone of Dickens’ novel, and never more visible than in the joyfully off-kilter “Marley and Marley” sequence. Caine seizes on Scrooge’s grizzled bitterness with zeal during the earlier stages, but it is in the more sincere moments later on – as the teachings of the three ghosts begin to soften Scrooge’s brittle demeanour – that you see the broad range of his performance; it’s touching, layered and so emotionally commanding.

Anyone left unmoved as Scrooge settles down to Christmas dinner with his peers during the final scene must either have a heart of stone, or presumably spend the entirety of the festive season with a “humbug” expression etched on their face. For me, however, it is the perfect accentuation of why this is, for me, the perfect Christmas movie; full of heart, happiness, warmth, and… you know… a table that’s laden with food and wine.

RELATED
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/film/film-review-man-invented-christmas/28/11/

RelatedPosts

Give Them Wings Premiers in Darlington

Final Thoughts on Cannes 2022

Cannes 2022 Review: Tori and Lokita

Cannes 2022 Review: Pacifiction

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

DWP denies charities have been gagged from speaking out against Esther McVey

University bosses left red-faced when £10 million lecture theatre crumbles

‘Turning a blind eye’ – Starmer faces party revolt over stance on refugees

Brexit’s pound shop Churchills have pushed Britain to breaking point

Racecourse vaccination centre to shut for day to allow horse racing to continue

‘Delays cost lives:’ Govt ban on trophy hunting imports still not implemented

Tory MP recorded saying Brexit no deal is a ‘n***** in a woodpile’

King’s College graduates set up lingerie range for busty women

Watch: Disability campaigner confronts ‘shameful’ Jacob Rees-Mogg in street

Donald Trump is gone. What next?

JOBS

FIND MORE JOBS

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.