A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) Review

Release Date: November 22, 2019 (USA)

Director: Marielle Heller 

Based on: Can You Say...Hero?; by Tom Junod

Screenplay: Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue

Budget: $25 Million

In a world filled with hate, bigotry, violence, and greed, all we need is a friendly neighbor to remind us about kindness, forgiveness, and most importantly, to listen. It's a film that's less about the man himself, and more about those he helps, which was often the message of his show. "Sometimes we have to ask for help, and that's okay." Fred Rodgers.

Cynical Esquire magazine writer Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys, The Post) is given the task to write a four hundred word "puff piece" about children's entertainer Fred Rodgers (Tom Hanks). Lloyd then reluctantly travels to Pittsburgh to expose the "real" Mr. Rodgers. What transpires is a tale inspired by a true story of one broken man's journey to forgiveness. 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood's script is not about the entertainer himself, but more about his ability to positively impact those around him. We learn about the tormented soul that is Lloyd Vogel, but as he interviews Fred Rodgers, Rodgers is interviewing him. You learn that even the perfect personality of Mr. Rodgers has cracks in his armor, as does Lloyd, figuratively and literally. The film delves into dark subject matter; sorrow, guilt, depression, anger, and death; many of the themes that were topics of discussion on Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood.

The film is shot, edited, and scored in a way to look and feel like an episode of the TV show. What that does is remind us that we are watching what feels like a regular episode of Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood, and further reminds us that Lloyd's story isn't necessarily unique, and that all of us have pain in our life. Vogel becomes the representative for our collective consciousnesses to receive the valuable life lessons that Fred Rodgers wanted to share with all of us. It's an original take on this genre, and it could have come across contrived, but it takes on a meta quality that speaks through the screen and into your very being.

It helps that Rodgers is portrayed by one of the nicest actors in Hollywood. Hanks doesn't look or sound much like Fred Rodgers, but what he lacks in those aspects he makes up for in his genuine adaptation of the essence of the man. Every time he is on screen, you can't help but be taken in by how his kindness makes you want to be a better person. The viewer is drawn in by his slow speaking, but genuinely caring personality. The supporting actors do a fantastic job. All of them provide a realistic performance that further brings you into the wonderfully crafted world. Chris Cooper delivers another solid performance as the flawed father of Lloyd Vogel who is looking to reconnect with his estranged son, and they have great chemistry together.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a beautiful film that is emotionally powerful. It leaves you wanting to be a happier and more fulfilled person. Hanks does an amazing job channeling the essence of Mr. Rodger's personality, delivering a timeless message of kindness that transcends the screen.