Gentle, sincere, and filled with moments of genuine joy and wonderment, this story of a boy who came to realise his dreams is as good-natured and uncontroversial as Elmo himself.
- , Film4, May 02, 2012
He simply seems to be a good guy who created something that little children love. Fair enough.
- Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK], April 26, 2012
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.
- Dave Calhoun, Time Out, April 24, 2012
A charming, if occasionally surface-deep look at the man behind the fur. Elmo like!
- Kim Newman, Empire Magazine, April 23, 2012
[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.
- Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail, March 16, 2012
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.
- Bruce Demara, Toronto Star, March 15, 2012
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.
- Tom Long, Detroit News, February 03, 2012
Watching Clash realize his dream is gratifying, and the behind-the-scenes Muppets stuff is fun.
- Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle, December 15, 2011
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.
- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times, November 23, 2011
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.
- Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post, November 18, 2011
The most interesting part of this lively, likable documentary is the journey.
- Mark Feeney, Boston Globe, November 16, 2011
The film is filled with so much insider Muppet lore that, at times, it strains even the goodwill that Clash generates.
- Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, November 11, 2011
A marvelous movie.
- Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly, November 05, 2011
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.
- Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times, November 03, 2011
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.
- Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 27, 2011
Who can fail to be moved by this?
- Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, October 21, 2011
You'd have to be a true Grouch not to be moved.
- Sara Stewart, New York Post, October 21, 2011
Even Oscar the Grouch would be moved by the inspiring history of Kevin Clash, the man who gives Elmo his voice.
- Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News, October 21, 2011
A winning tale of the persistence and creativity behind one of the most famous and fuzziest faces in the world.
- Neil Genzlinger, New York Times, October 20, 2011
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.
- Melissa Anderson, Village Voice, October 18, 2011
