I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
Tribeca Film | Release Date: May 6, 2015 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
71
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
13
Mixed:
7
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperMay 14, 2015
I Am Big Bird is a loving, respectful (if at times shamelessly sentimental) portrayal of Spinney. Read full review
88
RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyMay 8, 2015
Pulling back the curtain to see how Carrol Spinney "does it" is not only a revelation of technique but a reminder of just how brilliant he is as a puppeteer and as an actor. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyChris NashawatyApr 30, 2015
Out of costume, Spinney is as impossibly sunny as his alter ego (with none of the crankiness of his other incarnation, Oscar the Grouch). At 80, he has no plans to hang up his feathers—welcome news for kids and parents everywhere. Read full review
80
Arizona RepublicRandy CordovaMay 14, 2015
The movie is fascinating when it looks at the mechanics of Big Bird, which are physically challenging. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckMay 6, 2015
Shines a much deserved spotlight on this unheralded artist. Read full review
80
The DissolveJen ChaneyMay 5, 2015
I Am Big Bird breezes by a couple of opportunities to dig deeper into thornier subject matter, but those minor oversights don’t hurt the film in any significant way. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleWalter AddiegoMay 17, 2015
Spinney owns the character, down to the last feather. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerSteven ReaMay 15, 2015
Spinney comes across as a man whose warm spirit is literally at the core of the loving, if loopy Big Bird. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerMay 15, 2015
Although I Am Big Bird is no great shakes as a piece of filmmaking, and skews into treacly inspirational terrain, it’s still worth seeing to make the acquaintance of a man who, although he would probably be the last to say so, is an artist of the first rank. And a nice guy, too. What a rare combo. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineChuck BowenMay 4, 2015
The transcendence that the film offers isn't to be taken lightly considering the near impossibility of living professionally as an artist. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesBetsy SharkeyMay 14, 2015
From the beginning, the filmmakers promise an affectionate look at the man, and in that they deliver. Read full review
70
The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerMay 6, 2015
This film, by Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker, reminds us that even the most omnipresent cultural phenomena were created by someone, usually through a combination of hard work and happenstance. Read full review
70
Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlMay 5, 2015
I like what I Am Big Bird is trying to do — I just wish it were a little less Bird-nice, and a little more Grouch-frank. Read full review
60
The GuardianLeslie FelperinOct 25, 2015
It’s tremendously reassuring to find out that Spinney is just the sort of kind-hearted sweetheart you’d expect, a man who’s spent a lifetime making children happy. And it’s a kick to see archive footage and interviews with some of the old, non-puppeteer cast members. Read full review
60
VarietyRonnie ScheibMay 16, 2015
As endless processions of friends and colleagues attest to Spinney’s genius, and the filmmakers wallow in never-before-seen behind-the-scenes imagery, they fail to fully capture the actual art of puppeteering, with woefully few substantial excerpts from the show itself. Read full review
60
New Orleans Times-PicayuneMike ScottMay 15, 2015
It also includes the elucidating, offering a rare glimpse at the architecture of Spinney's elaborate Big Bird costume. Read full review
60
Time OutDaisy Bowie-SellMay 5, 2015
It’s an adoring portrait — almost cloyingly so — with an emotional soundtrack that grates a little. Read full review
60
EmpireIan FreerApr 28, 2015
An affectionate portrait of a big-hearted man and a fitting testament to the enduring appeal of Sesame Street. Read full review
60
Total FilmEmma MorganApr 28, 2015
Where Elmo proved to be spiky Kevin Clash’s alter-ego, this sweet if superfluous doc shows that Spinney is Big Bird, a tireless performer who refuses to retire. Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubJesse HassengerMay 6, 2015
Henson saw potential in Spinney that he proceeded to realize over the course of many years. I Am Big Bird only has 90 minutes to cover the basics. Read full review
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