A puppeteer, filmmaker, artist, inventor, and performer, Jim Henson did it all in his short time on this earth. Now, thanks to Ron Howard‘s documentary, Idea Man, fans get a peek behind-the-curtain (or under the stage), to learn more about the man himself and how his creativity continues to create memories for people of all ages, all over the world.
Jim Henson Idea Man Review
It's hard to know where to begin when it comes to talking about Jim Henson. He was a puppeteer and creator of everything from The Muppets to Sesame Street to Fraggle Rock. He was also an animator, actor, and filmmaker (“The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth”). Henson wasn't afraid to push boundaries or dream up night clubs and Broadway shows. If you look up the definition of quintessential creative, there should be a big old picture of Henson. Not to mention he was the Kermit the Frog. How does a filmmaker take the life of someone like that and condense it into 108 minutes? Who was Jim Henson? Where did he get these ideas? How did he find the time and energy? The answer comes from Henson's longtime collaborator and friend Frank Oz: there is no one answer.
But Howard, who is a longtime fan of Henson, does his best. Together with his team, he pieced together a treasure island trove worth of material. There is footage from his many projects, including a photoshoot that has Henson himself naming the title of this documentary. Howard also pulls in all sorts of talking heads that include Oz, Henson's family, Jennifer Connolly, Dave Goelz, and Rita Moreno. No, The Muppets do not offer their thoughts and honestly that's how it should be. Iconic scenes play across the screen, like Kermit and Joey singing the ABC's on Sesame Street, which successfully pull heartstrings but it's also the never-before-seen moments, the archival footage of Henson discussing himself and his work that are exciting to see.
The film hits all the biographical documentary bullet points, beginning with his pre-fame origins. It shows how he met his wife Jane and the late-night puppet show they did together called Sam and Friends. There is ample footage of these early attempts, including watching Henson create the puppets, dubbed muppets as they are a combination of puppets and marionettes. We learn that Kermit wasn't the first, just one of many, but his design was simple and allowed for a lot of expression. It wasn't long before Kermit became an extension of Jim, his alter-ego. As this groundwork is being laid, Howard fills the screen with bursts of animations, bringing Henson's original sketches to life.
Some of the topics covered in the documentary were familiar to me. Especially as it began to cover Sesame Street and how Henson's goals with the show were to help children that needed it the most. A vision that is still carried on to this day. But I didn't know that he also used the show, and its budget, to try new things and scratch his creative itches. Or that The Muppets didn't see the same success Sesame Street did at first. It's insane to think that every American TV station turned him down, given what we know now. Thankfully, Henson refused to give up and London saw the potential or we wouldn't have The Muppets Christmas Carol today.
Eventually, it comes to the point where it must deal with Jim's untimely death, something I wasn't looking forward to. I fully admit to getting emotional watching stories like these. (Or being in the middle of them like when I toured Walt Disney's office) However, “Jim Henson Idea Man” handled this moment in a way that felt fitting for the man who was about bringing joy to the masses. We watch as his family, friends, and coworkers recount what it was like during that time before joining in the celebratory funeral that Jim wanted. It's a tender moment that will bring a smile to your face even if you have tears in your eyes.
Although Howard admires Henson like most of us, he doesn't mythologize or gloss over the fact that no one is perfect, not even those we idolize. Howard leans into honesty for a well-rounded look into Henson's life. Jim didn't grow up wanting to be a puppeteer, but he did grow up in an era when television was exploding. Looking at this new medium, he realized he could use it as a showcase for all the millions of ideas he had in his head. This led him to puppetry and joining a D.C. TV station, where he was hired to be the puppet guy on a tv show. From there he made hilarious commercials, experimented with techniques via home movies, and in general just kept moving forward. Howard explores how this continuing creative drive fueled so many of Henson's works while also adding strain to his personal relationships and his health.
He and Jane became fractured, his children didn't see him a lot, and passion projects became failures–although they would go on to become cult classics. Ultimately, his health would suffer the brunt of his relentless pace and he would pass on at the age of 53. As his family recalls this and how it affected them it can feel a little somber. But Jim wouldn't want us to be sad for long and Howard knows this, bringing back the levity just when it's needed most. Howard doesn't diminish Jim's legacy nor embellish it, rather he gives real insight into a man who wouldn't have wanted anything less. Henson didn't shy away from his shortcomings so neither should a documentary about him.
Jim Henson was a singular kind of man. His genius, creativity, and childlike spirit has brought joy to all ages across the world. How do you capture that kind of lightning in a bottle magic that was this man? It's impossible really, but Ron Howard does his best. For fans, it's exciting to watch the famous creation of Kermit, thanks to a ping-pong ball and Jim's mother’s old coat, and laugh at the old commercials Henson put together. While it's also emotional to see the failures and the sadness that accompany them. But just like Jim Henson, “Idea Man” is full of opportunistic excitement and a strong belief that dreams can be achieved. Plus 108 minutes spent watching Muppets outtakes, vintage funny commercials, Sesame Street sketches, and hearing stories from both Henson and Frank Oz is time well spent.
Jim Henson Idea Man is available on Disney+ May 31, 2024.
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