Inspiration, Imagination Soar in Heartwarming ‘Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey’

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Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – At first look, Kevin Clash seems like an everyday guy. Walking down the streets of New York City, you would have no idea that this modestly dressed and moderately built man is the man behind one of the most adored characters in the entire world; a character full of curiosity and energy as well as compassion and love; a character that created one of the most insane toy crazes the Christmas season has ever seen.

And even as Kevin Clash walks by a person on the street in an adult sized Elmo costume, it would be hard for anyone to realize that the real, out of costume Elmo is standing right there. Whether you are an adult in your mid 50s or a child who is just learning to talk, you have probably experienced the magic of Elmo in your life; now you can come to know the man that made all of that magic happen.

Winner of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for a U.S. Documentary, “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” is a heartwarming and inspiring story about the puppeteer that made Elmo, the beloved Muppet character on Sesame Street, a household name. Covering Kevin Clash’s life, from his humble beginnings in Baltimore to his now steady jobs as co-executive producer of “Sesame Street” and Elmo’s puppeteer, the documentary is a true testament to following one’s dreams, no matter how much ridicule or struggle you may go through in achieving them.

Being Elmo
Photo credit: Submarine Entertainment

Clash’s story begins with a revisiting of his old home in Baltimore. Clash explains the difficulties he had growing up as a child; a shy young boy that struggled with interaction with other kids and adults alike. Like most children, Clash found joy in the world of television, most significantly in shows like “Captain Kangaroo.” One day, Clash learned of a new show called “Sesame Street” and was immediately hooked. Transfixed in the magical world of these Muppet
characters, Clash decided this was something he wanted to do. In vivid detail, he recalls the story of making his first puppet at nine years old, out of fur from his father’s coat; his life would never be the same.

Soon, he was completely captivated in the world of puppetry; how the puppets were made, what materials were used on the professional puppets, and how to control and manipulate a puppet to give a piece of felt human qualities. Most of all, he was devoted to meeting the person that had created his dream: Jim Henson. Before long, Clash had created tons of his own puppets and started performing shows for his mother’s day care and charities all around the Baltimore area. He was soon discovered by a local television producer and given his first puppeteer job on television.

The documentary continues through Clash’s early puppet gigs and work with “Captain Kangaroo” all the way up to his first meeting and job with his idol and hero, Jim Henson. An incredible journey of a man who strived to achieve his calling of puppeteering, “Being Elmo” is not only inspirational, but a lesson for dreamers everywhere. As Clash tells us, “There will always be people saying you might not succeed and you might not make any money, but all of those things will go away if you really focus on what makes you happy.”

Being Elmo
Photo credit: Submarine Entertainment

The eventual creation of the Elmo character we know today, and the explosion of popularity the Muppet received, is wonderfully touching. Clash recalls how he constructed Elmo to represent love, and many of the interviews in the film explain how co-workers and family see Elmo as the outer expression of the love Clash has. But this isn’t completely why Elmo is so popular. As Whoopi Goldberg (who also narrates the film) says in an interview, it isn’t just the fact that children love Elmo, but that Elmo needs them and loves them too.

Directed by Constance Marks, the documentary succeeds tremendously in recreating the story of not only Elmo, but also some of the early years of “Sesame Street” and Clash’s relationship with Jim Henson. Using old home videos and pictures of Clash, behind-the-scenes video of “Sesame Street,” and old interviews, the film constructs a moving story of dedication, imagination, and love. The relationship Kevin Clash had with Jim Henson, as well as the relationship between Elmo and Kevin are fascinating to watch and joyous to the heart. The documentary also includes inside looks at the death of Henson, the new work Clash has now as co-executive producer of “Sesame Street,” and the “Tickle Me Elmo” craze that swept the nation.

As he walks through the Muppet workshop with a young eight-year-old who is very similar to who he was as a child, strong comparisons can also be made between Kevin Clash and Jim Henson, as well as a wonderful insight into the morals and compassion Kevin has. He is thrilled to share the wonders of the workshop with the child, just as he was so thrilled to see them for the first time when he was young. Likewise, Kevin is elated to wake up every morning and play the character he made so famous. Kevin has been puppeteering Elmo for over 25 years, in countries all over the world and with hundreds of different celebrities and figures. He continues to puppet Elmo for every episode of “Sesame Street,” as well as at school assemblies, charity events, and for children who want to meet Elmo as their dying wish. An emotional ride of triumph and compassion, “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” is an uplifting documentary of a man who achieved incredible success in his childhood dream. And even with this great success, Kevin is still grounded and committed to doing what he was dedicated to from his early days of watching “Sesame Street” on his couch in Baltimore: bringing life to the inanimate puppet and joy to children everywhere. He is driven by not only the excitement to share Elmo, but also to share his own dream and love with the world.

By TIM MARTENS Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com