Being Elmo review

A wonderfully charming documentary about one man's passion and a little furry monster called Elmo.

The hype...
With The Muppets back on the radar, this perfectly timed documentary takes a look at one of Jim Henson's most enduring creations. The focus is on the man behind the puppet, and the journey of Kevin Clash from the streets of Baltimore to the glamour of Sesame Street promises to be a heart-warming one. But is there much more a story about a puppeteer can tell us?

The story...
Meet Kevin Clash, the man behind one of the most iconic puppet creations in the world.

Growing up in Baltimore in the 1970's, and inspired by popular American TV show 'Captain Kangaroo', Kevin developed a passion for making his own furry friends. With support from his parents, who still speak with pride about their son's achievements, Kevin finally made it into the hallowed Henson workshop.

It's here that he got his big break. Whilst working on 'Sesame Street', Kevin was handed a little-used puppet called Elmo. After giving him a distinctive voice and universal message of love, Elmo quickly became a phenomenon. With a legion of fans of all ages watching his every move, just how difficult is it being Elmo?

The breakdown...
With obvious interest in all things Henson related at the moment, this is a perfectly timed outing for a documentary about one of the most beloved characters from the workshop that brought you 'The Muppets'.

Clash makes for an instantly likeable central focus. His enthusiasm, even from a very young age, is infectious. It's also extensively captured on film, so we have some remarkable archive footage to go with the lively narration by Whoopi Goldberg.

Coming from the streets of Baltimore, we aren't really given an insight into exactly what it was that triggered this obsession with puppets, but it is very real. From cutting up his dad's best coat to putting on performances for his neighbours, Clash has always displayed a love for puppetry. Even if you can't identify his heroes as he gradually meets them all, you can see how important they are to his world.

The behind-the-scenes vignettes of movies such as 'Dark Crystal' and 'Labyrinth' provide great moments of '80s nostalgia. Terry Wogan even makes an appearance, although the “cameo” by Kofi Annan is hilariously awkward. Other celebrities get name-checked and the increase in glitz and glamour in the film is a perfect accompaniment to the meteoric rise of Elmo.

There are moments when you sense the film is fast-tracking some of the more negative aspects of Clash. A failed marriage is only referenced when we are introduced to Clash's daughter late on, so we find out he has an ex-wife before we even know about a wife at all.

But this is essentially a film about Clash's work rather than his life. There is a clear distinction between the two very different elements, especially as Elmo becomes more prevalent. He may consume his time, but Elmo is not the only thing that matters to Clash.

The best examples of this are when young fans get to meet the favourite hero. The majority want to spend time with Elmo, but there are a handful – much like the young boy we meet at the start of this film – who want to meet the man behind the puppet.

The verdict...
We've witnessed grown men reduced to tears whilst watching 'The Muppets', and this film will evoke much the same, but in a very different style. Brief, but ultimately rewarding fare.

Rating: 4/5

'Being Elmo' is released on 27 April. Certificate: U.