A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood a film by Marielle Heller starring Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys delivers with an impact like few others.
It’s story-line is based on true events and people as much as Hollywood films allow and its story-telling resonates.
It would be a mistake to say A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is about Mr. Rogers the actor, and Fred Rogers the man. Both are in the film and play a central role performed beautifully by Tom Hanks. However, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is really about dealing with our fears and anger and is told and presented from the vantage of a skeptic and cynic. A person who has reasons to be skeptical and cynical.
Ironically, this skeptical and cynical person is not unique. We know many like them and the elements and events in their life that led to their world view in general and opinion of do-gooders like Fred Rogers in specific. On certain days and on certain topics we may even be them.
As with the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood reveals the remarkable and simple humanity and humility of Fred Rogers. Rogers was and remains to this day (via his television legacy) the real deal. His true legacy is that he could reach children and adults and get them to deal with their feelings and fears. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood pays tribute to it.
