Official Synopsis:
Beloved by millions of children around
the world, Elmo is an international icon. However, few people know
the soft-spoken man behind the furry red monster: Kevin Clash.
Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, Being
Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey follows Clash's remarkable career,
while also offering a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street
and the Jim Henson Workshop. As a teenager growing up in Baltimore in
the 1970's, Clash had very different aspirations from his
classmates-he wanted to be a part of Henson's team, the creative
force responsible for delivering the magic of Sesame Street
on a daily basis. With a supportive family behind him, Kevin made his
dreams come true.
Featuring
interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O'Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz
Cooney and Clash himself, filmmaker Constance Marks's insightful and
personal documentary tells the story of one of the world's most
adored and recognizable characters and the visionary behind the icon.
Our Take:
As
someone who does not have children, I may be at a disadvantage
evaluating the impact Elmo has on them. I know my niece and nephew
love him, while the parents who are my peers sometimes grit their
teeth at his voice. However, if you grew up with The Muppets, and
Sesame Street, as I
did, there's something about Being
Elmo
that takes you right back to childhood. You'll note how children
respond directly to Elmo, even with Clash visible... and you realize
you'd do the same.
A rare
peek into the life of the man behind an icon, Kevin Clash is one of
those unusual people who always knew what they wanted to do when they
grew up. Entranced by the work of Jim Henson, Clash pursued puppetry.
Seeing footage of shows he put on disabled children, there's no doubt
he had a gift for the work. From local TV, to Captain
Kangaroo, to the Jim Henson
Workshop, his journey up the ladder in this unusual career field
seems inevitable.
One of
the most illuminating scenes here is Clash advising puppeteers from
the French version of the show. The little movements and adjustments
transform felt into Muppets, and the “body language” transcends
the verbal. Puppetry is also an insulated work, and Clash's
observations into the popularity of the character from the eye of the
hurricane adds to the interest here. Clash's passion for his work
keeps this from being a dry documentary. Insight into his private
life is limited (it's nearly an hour in when his wife and daughter
are first mentioned), which is a shame as there's clearly a beautiful
and fascinating story regarding him as a parent, but it's not the
focus here. Being Elmo
is about the unusual career of a man and his monster, and it's a
mostly delightful watch.
Special Features:
The
film is presented in 16:9 format and Dolby stereo. There are no
subtitles, which seems an oversight for a documentary about something
as accessible to all as Sesame Street.
- 4 bonus featurettes
- The Theatrical Trailer
- Filmmaker Bio
- Information on Docurama
- Trailers for four other Docurama titles
Conclusion:
A
short, but engaging, documentary on the career of a man with a most
unusual and enviable job. Being
Elmo.
Kevin Clash's personal life is only touched on, but for any fan of
the Muppets, the trip he leads into their world is a rewarding
experience.
Overall Picture:
Movie: B+
Extras: B-
No comments:
Post a Comment