Once in a while long forgotten childhood memories resurface and we get that warm, bubbly feeling that comes with fond reminiscence. Being Elmo brought back that childhood magic for me.
The second the Sesame Street theme song started playing, as soon as I heard Elmo’s high pitched giggle, I was transported back to a simpler time in my life, a time where there were no deadlines, no homework and nothing else to do but enjoy being a kid. A huge smile spread over my face and the flashbacks of counting, colours and Muppets came rushing forward — if you watched cartoons in any form as a child, this film is for you.
Being Elmo is the inspiring story of Kevin Cline, the puppeteer and voice of Elmo. The film follows Cline’s illustrious career from his modest start in Baltimore, where he came up with and sewed all his own puppets, to his role as co-executive producer of Sesame Street and Muppet Captain.
As a child, Cline recalls being captivated with The Wonderful World of Disney and later, Jim Henson’s creations the Muppets. After sewing his first puppet out of his father’s coat, Cline discovered a talent. Despite facing harassment in high school about “playing with dolls,” he secured a role on a local television show at the age of 17. He only went up from there.
Cline went on to realize many of his childhood dreams, from meeting (and becoming friends with) Henson to being on the set of Sesame Street and getting to experience the magic firsthand. Cline’s puppet Elmo has become an incredible success with children, a worldwide icon since his 1972 debut. You’d be hard pressed to find a more positive role model for children.
Before Cline came along and infused the life into Elmo, he was just an extra puppet lying around the studio — sometimes, certain cast members would pick him up and try to give him a personality but nothing really materialized. Cline came across the furry red monster one day, and Elmo was born. As Cline’s mother states in the film, “Kevin comes alive through Elmo.”
Being Elmo is an engaging and heart-warming film, well worth your time to see. The narration by Whoopi Goldberg is a little overly scripted at times, but does the job. For anyone who watched Sesame Street as a child, Being Elmo wakes those fuzzy memories and makes you want to hug your favourite childhood stuffed animal again. It also takes you behind the scenes of the sets of shows and movies like Captain Kangaroo, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
Always dedicated and determined, Kevin Cline proves to us that the magic should never stop.
Being Elmo will be playing at Cinematheque, 100 Arthur Street at Bannatyne, from Feb. 3 to Feb. 11, all scheduled showings are evening screenings.
