Mikael Stånggren’s review published on Letterboxd:
We're all very familiar with the muppets in Sesame Street, but we don't really know much about the puppeteers. In this inspiring and heartwarming documentary we meet the fantastic Kevin Clash - once a young boy from a poor background, whose steadfast devotion to his dreams of puppeteering led him on an amazing and life-changing journey, where he would eventually become the man behind the beloved muppet Elmo.
During this rise to fame, we follow along as he becomes friends and colleagues with such venerable legends as Frank Oz and the late Jim Henson. The film includes a lot of old footage and interviews with the two, so if you're a fan of either you should definitely not miss this.
Anyone who has ever loved The Muppets or Sesame Street have much to be delighted by as well, as it gives us a great behind-the-scenes look at how all the magic is created. In effect, we are taught that puppeteering is not just a matter of putting your hand inside a piece of fabric, but a subtle art that demands extraordinary talent.
What I love most about Kevin Clash's story though, is that he seems like such a genuinely nice and compassionate human being. There are some incredibly moving moments in the film, like when he brings a smile to the face of a terminally ill young girl, whose last dying wish is to spend a little time with Elmo. These wonderfully poignant qualities made it a very emotionally enriching experience and one of the best feel-good films that I've seen in recent years.
A wildly fascinating success story, with a lot of charm and soul, whose only real downside is that it's over far too soon. Time just flew by for me, and if you have the slightest bit of interest in it, I'm sure it will for you too!