Friday, July 27, 2018

Movie Review Madness - Won't You Be My Neighbor


Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Is a documentary about Mr. Rogers – a television pioneer in children’s programming.  Wow. Take tissues. And I am giving this an Academy Award now. So well done. The research, film clips, and overall manner of this film is classy.

Fred Rogers, an ordained pastor, finds a need back in the early 1960s for appropriate children’s television programming. He did not like slap stick or signs of violence. He advocated a peaceful learning situation and his neighborhood was filled with diversity and a chance to address kids. His show grew from a PBS station in Pittsburgh PA to a monster show. He actually listened to kids. He respected kids. He showed the use of silence…it can be useful to draw out folks. His neighborhood had the black policeman stop by and cool off his feet in Mr. Rogers small pool.  This subtly addressed the issue at the time of segregation and “white’s only” pools. He truly brought issues to the forefront without bashing folks or kids over the head. Mr. Rogers truly exemplified Christian principles.

Speakers in the film include his wife (a no-nonsense very likeable woman), his two sons, his film crew, and other family friends. The outpouring of love and respect shine through. Fred Rogers, the man on the TV screen, was the same man at home and in real life. He truly loved people, respected people, and just lived as he learned as a preacher – a dorky clean life. He was a reluctant hero of sorts, with a vision. It was easy to make fun of him, and yet this documentary shows the value of his work today. If only…..people would show respect to each other, think before speaking (or tweeting!!!)

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Is very worthy. I recommend it highly. Ninety minutes of quality film-making.  Watch, think, and take pause…a silent moment to reflect….on a very Christian message (and I use this terminology in the positive way it should evoke a sensibility. )  Enjoy


11 comments:

  1. This sounds wonderful Joanne. Thanks for sharing.

    Yvonne.

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    1. it was a worthy film - you would have enjoyed it

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  2. Wow. Sounds like a worthy tribute to a one-of-a-kind man. Too bad there isn't much in the way of programming like this for kids nowadays.

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  3. Nothing wrong with a dorky clean life, he sure showed that.

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    1. exactly. Seemed like a truly nice man, a tad odd, but in a good way

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  4. Hi Joanne - there's been quite a bit about him recently - and I definitely reacted to his name - so thanks for the thumbs up ... and I'll get to see it - cheers Hilary

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  5. I didn't know he was a pastor. I do know, and it's becoming more and more clear to me, that he was an angel. I miss him. I'm glad this movie does him justice.

    PS You are SO SMART! See my comment in response to your guess on my blog. I'll be messaging you shortly. Woohoo!

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  6. PS I'm so sorry. I'm not finding your email. Would you please message me at Rawknrobyn@aol.com or Humankindnet@gmail.com? (That second email is more reliable). Thank you!

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  7. This is one I am really looking forward to seeing. He definitely was a leader by his example and a hero to the children who watched his show.

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