Synopsis
Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.
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Cast
- Whoopi GoldbergNarrator (voice)
- Frank OzSelf
- Kevin ClashSelf
- Bill BarrettaSelf
- Fran BrillSelf
- Joan Ganz CooneySelf
- Arsenio HallSelf
- Hugh JackmanSelf
- Kermit LoveSelf
- Martin P. RobinsonSelf
Recommendations
- 90
The Hollywood Reporter
Being Elmo is a rare documentary that will connect across generations and cultures to delight viewers worldwide for years to come. - 83
IndieWire
Despite its predictably cheery vibe, Being Elmo implies a certain darkness lingering beneath the surface of Clash's life. - 83
The A.V. Club
The moral to Clash's story? It's surprisingly easy being red. - 75
New York Post
This Muppet virtuoso is so visibly thrilled to work in Henson's weird and wonderful world, and so good at bringing joy to little kids, you'd have to be a true Grouch not to be moved. - 70
Variety
All in all, the pace -- although buoyed by Joel Goodman score -- is rather plodding until Clash's life story intersects with that of the little red guy, at which point it lifts off. And even yanks a tear or two. - 70
The New York Times
The film, by Constance Marks, is a little light on details of Mr. Clash's personal life once he broke through, but otherwise this is a winning tale of the persistence and creativity behind one of the most famous and fuzziest faces in the world. - 60
Time Out
But take the puppet off his arm and he seems somehow vague and incomplete, like the Wizard of Oz without his curtain. - 60
New York Daily News
For any adult feeling overwhelmed by bad news and dark times, your antidote is right here.
