“We can all use a little kindness”. This is the lead
on the movie poster for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and
it’s very appropriate for our world today. Last year’s documentary on
Fred Rogers was superb and truly gave us a lot of insight into the man who
created Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. What more needs to be said? This
new movie is based on a true story and is an added bonus salute to the man, the
myth, the down to earth hero.
We actually see more of Lloyd (played by a very sincere
troubled Matthew Rhys). He’s a journalist who’s known for unearthing the dirt,
the real scoop on folks who seem too good to be true. He’s assigned a small
(400 word) Esquire Magazine puff piece on Fred Rogers. Lloyd has anger
issues from his past and he’s currently a new father, on a new path with his
wife (the very intensely good Susan Kelechi Watson). He’s loaded for bear,
ready to find the chinks in the Mr. Rogers armor. Instead he’s disarmed by this
sweet sincere man (played by our American acting saint Tom Hanks) who seems
genuinely interested to know Lloyd. He can’t believe what he’s experiencing.
It’s as if he’s on the interview block. Fred Rogers manages to get under his
skin, make him question himself, make him face himself.
Mr. Fred Rogers, as embodied by Tom Hanks is the real
deal. He’s no saint. He’s a man. But he’s someone in the moment. He’s someone
who genuinely likes people, is interested, and takes the time to truly listen,
to truly think, and to truly care – for young and old alike. As we learned from
the documentary and we see in this portrayal – he respected children and knew
kids deal with very grownup type issues, but in their own way. He guides. He’s
there. He pulls you in and you are his neighbor and friend – a word he does not
take lightly.
Bring tissues. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
is sniffle worthy in a good way. We do need some kindness these days. This is a
good family movie for our holiday season.
