A journalist’s life is enriched by friendship when he takes on an assignment profiling Fred Rogers. Based on the real-life friendship between journalist Tom Junod and television star Fred Rogers.
The simple life that was lived by Fred Rogers is a testament to the fact that it doesn’t take much to give and receive sustainable joy in order to have a full life. Director Marielle Heller used the iconic life of Mr. Rogers to set a future precedent using the tried and true principles of famed puppeteer and composer Fred Rogers who impacted the lives of millions of children through his television show, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The film is based on a 1998 Esquire magazine article by Journalist Tom Junod, entitled “Can You Say…Hero?” The article details the relationship between Mr. Rogers and the Journalist who came to learn how the intimate details of his own volatile childhood impacted the relationship he had with his father, his wife and his own son.
While several aspects of the film show Mr. Rogers in various elements of engagement, most often he transferred his basic and fundamental knowledge of self-worth to his followers focusing on a clearcut foundation of kindness that emanated from everything Mr. Rogers said or did. While his main target was children, his calm demeanor and ability to transform any situation helped parents and children alike to deal with the exploration of their feelings and emotions through difficult and unpleasant conversations and situations.
The culmination of this project was to engage the audience in the never-ending positive affirmations that Fred Rogers lived by. His wife Joanne considered it a labor of love to share how the man whom she shared with the world was the same whether he had on his trademark sweater or his blazer. The way in which the plot is constructed is a fabulous lesson in self-actualization and Tom Hanks’ role as Fred is magical and fundamentally necessary in order for the world to see that Fred Rogers never waivered from the responsibility of being a father, a father figure, and a sedimentary presence. His use of props and propaganda helped to establish a constant in the ever-changing world of reality and illusion. Matthew Rhys’ role as Lloyd Vogel was endearing and wonderfully portrayed with just enough fight and disdain to make the audience realize that Fred Rogers, among all things, could actually be irritating and aloof, and both savvy and clueless. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is entertaining, comforting and reassuring in the fact that the far-reaching spirit of kindness that was Mr. Roger’s signature element, will forever be his legacy.
In Theaters Friday, November 22nd
