 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Being Elmo
- Review Date: October 21, 2011
- PG
- Genre: Documentary
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Inspiring docu about the man behind the Muppet superstar.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this inspiring documentary about Kevin Clash -- whose dreams of becoming a puppeteer came true when he grew up to become the hands and voice of Sesame Street's beloved Elmo -- shows that if you believe in yourself and work hard at something you love, you can achieve greatness. Not surprisingly for a film set in the world of Sesame Street, there's very little for parents to worry about, though the film may not appeal to the youngest Elmo fans since it's more about Clash than the Sesame characters. There's a passing reference to the strain between Clash and his wife and daughter, whom he doesn't see as often as he'd like because of his busy schedule, but it's handled sensitively.
What's the story?
When Kevin Clash first set eyes on Sesame Street and its cast of Muppet characters as a boy, he immediately realized what he wanted to do with his life: make puppets and bring them to life. By high school he was performing on local TV shows in Baltimore, and eventually he caught the eye of his idol, Jim Henson, the man who created Kermit the Frog and the rest of the Muppets. BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER'S JOURNEY traces Clash's journey from a teenager to the man who created the global Muppet phenomenon Elmo.
Is it any good?
As a kid who spent his free time making puppets, young Clash was sometimes teased by his peers -- and even his family occasionally wondered he wasn't more interested in sports. But he never wavered: He had already identified his dream, and he didn't want to do anything else. Eventually, his love of puppetry led him to Sesame Street, where he created the amazingly popular Elmo, a character who brings joy to children around the world.
Whoopi Goldberg narrates this inspiring film, which follows a simple chronological arc from Clash's childhood to global acclaim. It never over-trumpets its simple, heartfelt message: Believe in yourself, follow your dreams, and good things will come. Being Elmo simply shows that if you love what you do, trust yourself, and give back to others who may need mentoring, other people will recognize the joy in your work, and you'll be rewarded. This is a valuable lesson for kids and adults.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Clash's life. How did his family react to his boyhood drive to make puppets and bring them to life? Did any of them expect his hobby to become an amazing career?
What do you like to do? What are your dreams? Do you think you can turn any of your favorite activities into a career?
What do you think about seeing the real people behind your favorite Sesame Street Muppet characters? Is it weird or interesting?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Elmo loves you!
We just caught this airing on PBS last night quite accidently and were enthralled! I watched it with my 7.5 and 12 year old and it was very well done and informative. I grew up in the 70s and fondly remember Sesame Street. My girls both watched Elmo's World on Sesame Street and we had many videos of just his show. Kevin Clash is heartwarming and a pleasure to watch
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AGE
A really inspiring documentary!
I always have loved Elmo, and I was so happy to find out that its puppeter had parents who helped him follow his dream. I really love this!
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AGE
Perfect film for kids who have left the "Sesame" years
If you have kids -- say 7 and up -- that are beyond the age of "Sesame Street," this movie a perfect bridge in that it recalls childhood memories, and show how adults create environments that nurture children. Part of the pain of growing up is leaving behind things you loved. This movie says you don't have to, that you can take deeper joy in sharing those things with the next generation. I'm speaking as an adult interpreting this film. Kids will just find it engrossing. Every kid who watches this will want to be a puppeteer, at least for a day. And Kevin Clash -- an African-American from a working class background -- comes off as the sweetest human being on the planet. He is undoubtedly a very talented artist who works incredibly hard, but this movie almost makes it seem like his phenomenal success stems mostly from the fact he never lost his sense of joy and wonder. Not a bad message for anybody at any age. I highly recommend this.
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| Topics: | great boy role models, puppets |
| Studio: | Submarine Deluxe |
| Director: | Constance Marks |
| Cast: | Kevin Clash, Whoopi Goldberg |
| Genre: | Documentary |
| Run time: | 76 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 21, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | April 3, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild language including a brief drug reference |
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