Like many children, Mr. Rogers was a huge part of my childhood. The ordained minister from Latrobe Pennsylvania, who was a staple of children's television for more than 40 years had such an impact on children with his caring ways. In 5th grade, I did a book report on the impact and philosophy of Rogers as my hero. When it was announced that Tom Hanks would be playing Fred Rogers, I couldn't think of a more wholesome casting. Hanks acts as America's father by proxy as did Mr. Rogers. It made sense when recently it was discovered that the two were actually 6th cousins. Coupled with director Marielle Heller, who directed the phenomenal yet underrated Can You Ever Forgive Me, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood looked a success on paper. Seeing the movie last night, I can successfully report the film is an absolute joy.
My consistent complaint of biopics is how generic they are. Every Oscar season, we are plagued with films that tell true life stories with a huge lack of originality or pizzazz. These "films" simply tell the story and somehow get nominated for a plethora of Oscars. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood isn't so much a biopic about Fred Rogers. It is more about the impact Rogers had on the lives he touched, primarily a frustrated and cynical journalist played by Matthew Rhys. The film is far more effective in this way.
Hanks doesn't go for a perfect impression of Mr. Rogers. I'm not sure it would've worked if he had. The american subconscious is so utterly familiar with Mr. Rogers that any attempt at a perfect performance would ultimately fail. In an Oscar worthy performance, Hanks goes for the essence of Rogers, which he nails. The screenwriters obviously worked meticulously to get the heart and wisdom of Rogers stored in one film. There are even some avante-garde aspects which shifts the film away from traditional biographical tropes. My only criticism is if that you are not familiar with Mister Roger's Neighborhood for some reason, this would be a bit of a difficult film to understand.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a pure joyful and crowd pleasing film. It had me in near tears throughout the movie. I could nitpick for sure, but the film is too damn sweet and enjoyable to do so. I would feel heartless and cruel to do so. If you're looking for a smile, a cry, or anything in between, this is the movie for you.
Grade (9/10)
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