In 2018 Morgan Neville gave us “Won’t You Be My Neighborhood”, a documentary that told the heartwarming story of children’s television icon Fred Rogers. The film brought back a rush of memories for many of us who grew up watching his program while introducing Mister Rogers to an entirely new and younger audience. Now Marielle Heller gives us an intriguing companion piece with “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”.
Where Neville’s film was more about Rogers the man, Heller’s speaks more to the influence he had. Her film is inspired by a real-life encounter between Rogers and Tom Junod, an accomplished investigative journalist for Esquire magazine. At Junod’s request screenwriters Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster changed his name to Lloyd Vogel and adjusted a few details of their story. Junod was brought to tears after seeing the finished movie which captures the very essence of their meeting and eventually friendship.
Matthew Rhys plays Lloyd, a successful yet notorious writer living in New York with his wife Andrea (Susan Kelechi Watson) and their infant son. Lloyd is harboring some deep, pent-up anger towards his father (played by Chris Cooper) who ran out on his family at the worst time imaginable. Lloyd’s bitterness shows up in his work which over time earns him a toxic reputation.
As Esquire magazine prepares to do a series on American heroes, Lloyd is given the job of profiling Mister Rogers. He thinks the assignment is beneath him, but it turns out Mister Rogers is the only one willing to speak to him. And his caring but adamant editor (Christine Lahti) insists believing it will do Lloyd some good. So he sets out to interview Mister Rogers on the set of his show at WQED studios in Pittsburgh.
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to mention that Mister Rogers is played by Tom Hanks. The quintessential good guy actor playing the quintessential television good guy. It’s such a perfect bit of casting with Hanks deftly channeling Rogers’ kindly tone, subtle mannerisms, and his inquisitive nature that is always born out of his compassion. It’s a supporting role but obviously it’s the one most people will be going to see.
But that’s not to shortchange Rhys who gives a really good performance. Obviously the scenes he shares with Hanks are the highlights, but Rhys stands on his own and makes his character’s inevitable transformation both believable and uplifting. And when he does get with Hanks their characters’ connections are palatable and have an almost spiritual quality to them.
The picture we get of Rogers is that of a gentle genius at psychology and at getting children (and in this case Lloyd) to come to terms with and express their feelings. That really is the meat of the entire film and Heller is the right person to handle it. She has so many interesting touches (I absolutely love how she uses miniatures) and approaches the story with just the right sensibility. And in the end it’s kindness, hope, and compassion that wins the day.
VERDICT – 4 STARS
keithandthemovies.com 
I’d never heard of Mister Rogers before, now he has 2 movies! I’ll give it a go if it comes to streaming.
He was such an icon of American children’s television when I was growing up (way back then). Gentle, kind, and truly caring. I have so many memories of growing up watching his program. It’s cool seeing him introduced to new people through these films.
We had ANdy Pandy 😀 😀
https://images.app.goo.gl/moKQ5X7Db6MYmnYw9
Ok, now he is new to me!! 🤣
He was on a program called Watch With Mother, which was on once a week to start. AT first it was just Andy Pandy stories, but then they had Rag,Tag & Bobtail, The Flowerpot Men (my fave 😀 ) and The Woodentops so ended up on for 4 days a week. AH good times!
Nice!!!!! Love those kinds of memories. Suddenly…I feel so old. 🤣
Haha welcome to my world!
I do want to see this as I think only Tom Hanks could do Fred Rogers justice. Plus, who doesn’t love Mr. Rogers?
BTW, did you see Eddie Murphy on SNL reprising Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood? Man, that brought me back and the entire episode (minus Pete Davidson who is not funny) was one of the best that I had seen in a very long time.
I did see that! Oh my gosh it was so funny. Murphy didn’t miss a beat!
I’m really bummed I missed this in theaters. At the same time it doesn’t necessarily strike me as all tjat cinematic so I’m probably not going to lose much watching it on TV. Can’t wait for that though. The reaction to the perspective the movie shares has really intrigued me. Some have loved it, others not so much.
The perspective is surprising and it works really well. As for seeing it in the theater, I actually got a screener for it and it was fine on the television. You’ll be fine. 👍🏼
I will be checking this out . As a Canadian and as a kid in the late 60s , early 70s Mr.Dress Up , played by Ernie Coombs was my go to , but he was friends with Mr.Rogers and was a puppeteer for him and as a result of his being involved , developed his own show on the CBC called Mr. Dress Up . I watched the documentary and have always admired Mr.Rogers from what I’ve read. Its nice to know that he was a truly genuine decent man . Look forward to seeing Hanks play him .
Mr. Dress Up? That’s interesting, especially hearing that he and Mister Rogers were close. Fred Rogers was the picture of decency. The perspective this film uses is surprising. Hanks actually gives a supporting performance but as you can imagine he’s very good. He has no problem capturing the kindness and compassion that Mister Rogers was known for.
Anthony was right to suggest Tom Hanks to play him in a Wiggles biopic
Tom Hanks was absolutely prefect for this role. He was incredibly as Rogers
I agree. And honestly I don’t know who else could’ve possibly played Mr. Rogers.
I agree that Tom Hanks nailed his portrayal of Mister Rogers. I also find it interesting that it took you a while to figure out that Tom Hanks played Mister Rogers.
Even though I didn’t watch “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as a child, I got an idea of how the premise of the show worked.
As a kid I spent many hours in Mister Rogers’ neighborhood. It’ll always hold a special place in my heart.