As a kid growing up I used to be a big fan of Sesame Street and The Muppets. Sesame Street i watched every day and Muppets was broadcast Sunday evenings. Watching it I never thought about the people actually bringing these puppets to life. This documentary is about one of them, Kevin Clash and how he had a dream about working with Jim Henson and ended up puppeteering one of the most loved characters around the world, Elmo.
If you see Elmo it’s hard to imagine what the guy behind it would look like and if you would see Kevin Clash walking down the street, you would never guess he is the one responsible for this great character. He started making puppets when he was very young and made his first puppet by using scissors on one of his father’s coats. The great thing is that his parents supported him in everything he did and even though he wasn’t the coolest kid at school (other guys would thought it was strange that he played with “dolls”), but hearing his story is heart warming. He already did good things for the community, visiting hospitals to bring smiles on the faces of kids staying there. His talent got noticed and it landed him work on TV.
This documentary interviews him, his parents and other people that have worked with him and follows him as he teaches other puppeteers how they should move their hands to make the puppets move realistically.
If you expect a movie full of Elmo then you will be disappointed. This is more about Clash and how he ended up doing the character and the drive he had to realise his dream. Elmo is shown several times and it’s always fun to see him, but hearing the life story about Kevin Clash is fascinating, moving and inspirational. Clash himself sees how the chances he got on his way to the top helped him get there and now does the same for kids who dream about one day doing his job, inviting them to the workshop.
Score: 9
I saw Kevin Clash’s appearance on The Daily Show and since then I’ve been eager to see this one.
I still haven’t, because… well, I’m a procrastinator. But that’s besides the point. Clash truly seems like a genuinely kind man and it’s always nice to see the kid-with-a-crazy-dream-actually-sees-that-dream-realized kind of story.
Great review!
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I didn’t see his appearance there, but will check if it’s available on YouTube. He seems very kind indeed, he really is like Elmo.
WOW a 9/10… I need a bit of this in my life!
I would never have guessed what he looked like either!!
Thanks for this Nostra
I got a weakness for Elmo and this documentary was so interesting to watch with some genuinely heartwarming moments.
Ooh I loved Elmo growing up. I have a little Elmo sitting on my book shelf at home 🙂
If I get the chance to then I’ll definitely watch this. I’d love to hear more about Kevin and his experience as the man behind Elmo.
I’ve got one somewhere around the house as well Claire. Elmo is so funny, there is a scene in this where he dances and it is hilarious. Hope you will be able to catch it.
It seems like an interesting documentary. I love Elmo and other Sesame Street characters, use to watch them everyday. Thanks for sharing, Nostra
It is Andina. There is another documentary about Sesame street which I reviewed a while ago and is also worth checking out.
Read about this docu. Someplace else also. Since you are my number one source of documentaries and Korean films, I thank you once again 😉
Hahaha, thanks Raghav. I should start reviewing more Korean movies then I guess!
This sounds like a really interesting documentary. It’s not often that you see the people behind the puppets. Good stuff!
It’s a really enjoyable one, hope you will be able to see it Eric!
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