Tuesday, May 19, 2015

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2014)

Directors: Dave LaMattina, Chad N. Walker. 90 min. Documentary.

I was expecting another inspiring "Sesame Street" origin story, like what we saw in Being Elmo. But this is at the other end of the spectrum, because when we're talking Carroll Spinney, the man who's been Big Bird's puppeteer for more than 45 years, it's not a question of inspiration - but a matter of longevity, and ... mortality. Although the documentary is slightly slowed down by repetition, two shocking moments mentioned here (the explosion of a certain space shuttle, and of course, the death of the beloved Jim Henson), will make you think twice before you squabble about trivial things.

PS: ... or maybe after hearing the news of a 23-year old relative diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and a 40-year friend with stage III breast cancer, both in the matter of a week, I'm just too sensitive these days.

Mo says:


2 comments:

  1. It's awful .Sorry to hear that. Hopefully new treatment options work best for them

    ReplyDelete