Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey 2011

Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: A winning tale of the persistence and creativity behind one of the most famous and fuzziest faces in the world. Read more

Keith Uhlich, Time Out: Directors Constance Marks and Philip Shane make use of a wealth of fascinating period footage that shows Clash's career ascension. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: "Kevin comes alive through Elmo," says Clash's mother in the film, and it's true. Watching him manipulate the puppet for adoring children, a kindness and joy shines through. Read more

Noel Murray, AV Club: Even committed Elmo-haters may be converted by the time the closing credits roll, because Marks smartly locates the heart of the movie in Clash's devotion to Henson. Read more

Mark Feeney, Boston Globe: The most interesting part of this lively, likable documentary is the journey. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: Who can fail to be moved by this? Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: The film also provides an inspiring reminder for the young and the rest of us that there is a vital relationship between the best kind of work and passionate play. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey" is the story of a young man who knew what he wanted to do and did it, who made his dreams real. This may be the most truly American movie in memory. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A marvelous movie. Read more

Justin Lowe, Hollywood Reporter: Profile of exceptional performer charms with unexpected delights. Read more

Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times: A documentary as gentle as its subject: the story of a boy who realized his dream and, on the film's evidence, received a lot of encouragement and support along the way. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: Even Oscar the Grouch would be moved by the inspiring history of Kevin Clash, the man who gives Elmo his voice. Read more

Sara Stewart, New York Post: You'd have to be a true Grouch not to be moved. Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: It is, like Sesame Street, a captivating story for viewers of all ages. Even those unfamiliar with cherry-red Elmo will immediately fall under his spell. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Backstage at the Muppet works, we see countless drawers filled with eyeballs, eyebrows, whiskers and wigs. It's the only world Kevin wanted to live in, and he made it. Read more

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: Watching Clash realize his dream is gratifying, and the behind-the-scenes Muppets stuff is fun. Read more

Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail: [Clash is] portrayed as a mild-mannered, kind, giving, supremely talented soul, with a deep love for the puppet he animates and the children who love him. Read more

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: Constance Marks's film is a simple cut-and-paste job, drawing on new interviews and archive, but what it lacks in refinement it makes up for in infectious warmth. Read more

Bruce Demara, Toronto Star: Despite an exhaustive series of interviews with famous puppeteers and a few celebs (among them Whoopi Goldberg, who also narrates), it's a documentary that feels a bit tedious by journey's end. Read more

John Anderson, Variety: Helmer Constance Marks gives us a gentle giant of a man, whose precocious interest in puppets and puppetry was inspired by the same show that made Elmo a cultural fixture, Sesame Street. Read more

Melissa Anderson, Village Voice: Constance Marks's documentary on Kevin Clash, the kind, gentle man who created the Muppet beloved by every single child in the world, rushes through the intriguing points its interviewees bring up to devote more time to banalities. Read more

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: The film is filled with so much insider Muppet lore that, at times, it strains even the goodwill that Clash generates. Read more