I recently watched a biographical documentary on him called, "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Story" and after watching it, I have to say that I definitely have a newfound respect for the man that plays Elmo. You never give a second thought about how the person sticking their arm up a muppet's ass is really like.
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| Elmo looks like he's enjoying that. |
It's going to be a little difficult for me to not get slightly sappy when talking about this film because it's just so inspirational and damn it, it'll make you feel good after you watch it. So I apologize in advance if I start sounding like a Disney movie after a while.
SOOO. This man, Kevin Clash, came from a run-down neighborhood in a place called Turner's Station, Maryland. After continuously watching Captain Kangaroo and the Sesame Street when he was a child, he took a strong interest in puppeteering and started making puppets himself. What's funny is that he made his first puppet out of his father's coat, just cut it apart and made a freakin' monkey called "Moandy." What kind of child looks at a fur coat and decides to make a monkey puppet out of it? That is definitely how you know your kid is going to be either awesome or bat-shit bizarre. Kevin Clash turned out being awesome.
Kevin started making his own puppets and performed shows for children. He gets teased by other boys in school because he "played with dolls" and wasn't playing manly testosterone-filled sports like the rest of them. Hmm... wonder where they are now! And so, he eventually goes off to New York, meets Jim Henson and his childhood dreams come true. Hope that doesn't seem like a spoiler to anybody. OH! And on a side note, Whoopie Goldberg narrates this film as well. But that wasn't a bother, who doesn't like a little Whoopie now and then?
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| You did not just make that pun, Kris! |
Because it was a biographical documentary, I can't really critique any actors or anywhere that the story lacked because it's about someone's life. But I can say that the flow of the film is great. There are lots of visuals and photos to go along with the storytelling narration by Kevin and I really felt like I was being taken on a "journey of success" with the film starting from him as a child all the way to the present.
It was pretty mind boggling to watch Kevin Clash in action. He's a very soft-spoken and he really does seem like a genuine nice and gentle man. Kevin Clash is driven as hell. Throughout the film, it is a pleasure to watch Clash being the knowledge-absorbing sponge that he is. He is constantly wanting to learn and is truly passionate about his job.
I'm gonna give this film a 7.5 out 10. I wouldn't watch it again but I did enjoy watching it and would recommend it to those who haven't seen it. If this film affects you like my brother and I, it'll probably going to make you think about what you wanted to be during your own childhood and wonder what would've happened if you had stayed dedicated to it like Kevin did. Almost everyone has that lost feeling in life about what they want to do or who they're going to be when they grow up. Kevin Clash is one of the lucky ones that knew from the start.
Things I Learned From This Film:
- The muppets are made of fleece! They must be cozy because I have sweaters with fleece in them and they're great.
- Elmo first started out on Sesame Street talking like a caveman because he was played by Richard Hunt (who didn't enjoy playing Elmo) before Kevin took over.
- ELMO CAN DANCE. Like really well. He dances in the film during an interview and it was probably my favorite part. And so, I think it'll be best to leave you readers with the most excellent moves of NPH and Elmo himself (A.K.A. Kevin Clash's hands).
Stay Klassy and $a$$y,
Kris
Let's also make this a little celebration dance for my first movie review! HAYYY.
