Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16

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  1. Sir_Brandon
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    The name Elmo is recognizable worldwide. The furry, sweet, and cute red puppet is an icon, but do you know who the man is that gives Elmo his signature voice? Being Elmo: A Puppetteer's Journey introduces us to Kevin Clash, the first African-American to work as a Muppeteer and the heart and soul of Elmo. He came from Baltimore with a dream to work with Jim Henson and now is a pivotal piece in the Sesame Street puzzle.

    As a kid, Clash was inspired by television shows such as Captain Kangaroo and, of course, Sesame Street, and his passion became making puppets and letting them come to life. He watched and observed what he saw on these shows and spent a lot of his high school days perfecting his craft. He got his big break by performing his puppeteering on a local TV show and from there the sky was the limit. Or for his case it was working with the one and only Jim Henson. Not only does Clash get to meet and work for him, but they form a friendship before Henson passed away.

    Directors Constance Marks and Philip Shane put together a captivating and engaging documentary for all ages. It is a gentle, sweet, and inspiring story about a man who pursued his dreams and achieved it. Now this doesn't mean he hasn't made sacrifices or missed some valuable time with his daughter because he has. It hasn't been easy and making puppets in high school is certainly going to get you teased and made fun of, but Clash lets nothing or no one stand in his way, and has amazing support from his parents which some children are not lucky enough to get. Seeing how much Elmo means to Clash is heart touching, but what Elmo means to kids is just mind-blowing. And when a sick child's one wish is to meet Elmo, Clash still can't believe he gets to play a part in making it come true.

    This documentary is infectious and moving on so many levels. Clash is a genius when it comes to his puppeteering, but is also just a nice, genuine guy who loves what he does. He carries on the dedication, passion, and magic that Henson started. Being Elmo is uplifting and only proves that you really can do anything you want, but you must have the focus and hard work or you may just keep reaching for a dream and never actually grabbing it. You just can't go wrong with a feel-good film like this, and the fact that it is a true story makes it that much better.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Total Film
    Reviewed by: Jamie Graham
    Apr 16, 2012
    80
    2012 is the year of the Muppet, and we don't mean Ashton Kutcher. After Jason Segel's fur-filled revival, rejoice in a documentary to make you laugh and, yes, cry.
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  2. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Marsha Lederman
    Mar 16, 2012
    63
    The film is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, who also shows up as an interviewee, and in a Sesame Street clip, which frankly feels odd. Worse: the script she has to work with is often lacklustre.
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  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Walter Addiego
    Dec 15, 2011
    75
    A breezy account of a man whose obsession began early.
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