Search
Tom Hanks as Mr Rogers
Picture of Derrick Dunn

Derrick Dunn

Hanks Shines as Fred Rogers in “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood “

A beautiful homage to an iconic television personality, Tom Hanks is Fred Rogers in Tri Star Pictures’ A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood. Fresh off last year’s Oscar-nominated Can You Ever Forgive Me?, director Marielle Heller once again shows a comfortable niche with the biopic film genre.
 
Screenwriters Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster open the film with Hanks in full Rogers mode. The moment Hanks sings the legendary theme song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, memories of childhood return. The sentiment of childhood is given an extra boost by cinematographer Jody Lee Lipes who decides to present the opening moments of the film as if the audience is watching an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for the first time.
 
In lesser hands, opening the film this way may have come off as safe; however, with the aspect ratio of classic television, it works to great effect. Fred then decides to tell us the story of writer Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) and the impact each man had on the other’s life. While Lloyd is a talented and award winning writer, his people skills leave much to be desired. When Lloyd is given the assignment to write on an American hero, he initially turns the assignment down. It isn’t until Lloyd learns that Fred was the only person willing to speak with him that he decides to write the assignment. As Lloyd learns about Fred, he also learns what it means to truly be kind.
 
Growing up I can recall watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in the early years of my life before action orientated and silly cartoons began to occupy my time. However, I always had admirable respect for Fred Rogers and his views on the world. After viewing last year’s documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, I was anxiously awaiting Hank’s portrayal as Fred Rogers.
 
With his nice-guy/ everyman acting style, Hanks was born to play the role of Fred Rogers. Naturally Hanks does a grand job portraying the icon, and come awards season, I’m sure Hanks is going to appear on numerous best of lists. I must point out that A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood isn’t a warts and all biopic of Fred Rogers. Personally, I felt that the true lead in our film is Matthew Rhys’s Lloyd.
 
General audiences may recognize Rhys from his last lead role as spy Philip Jennings on the The Americans. Rhys’s portrayal of Lloyd is very enjoyable, as Rhys showcases Lloyd a successful man who doesn’t see his own flaws. While Lloyd is a talented writer, he neglects his wife Andrea (Susan Kelechi Watson) and their newborn son. Lloyd also has unresolved issues with his father Jerry (Chris Cooper). The arc that Lloyd goes through to repair his relationship is very bittersweet to watch, and there were a few moments I had to wipe the tears in my own eyes. In supporting roles, Susan Kelechi Watson and Chris Cooper both provide quality work.
 
Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster’s screenplay presents Fred as a perfect saint, which is fine. However, this decision also is the small grievance I have with the film. There is a moment in the film where Fred mentions to Lloyd, that he wasn’t always the best father. In a brief moment we see the regret in Hank’s eyes as Fred, however seconds later he thinks Lloyd for allowing him to see things from another point of view. I would’ve loved to see a flashback to this moment, just to see the man of Fred Rogers a bit more humanized.
 
Despite this small issue, A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood is one of the best films of 2019. While I would’ve loved to see a more traditional biopic, director Marielle Heller and star Hanks achieve what Mister Rogers was all about, and that is the power of human connection.
 
Final Grade A-

Share this post

More to explorer

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare mixes action and comedy

April 18, 2024

Acclaimed director Guy Ritchie continues churning content as his latest film, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” from Lionsgate, hits theaters. Ritchie, along with Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, and Arash Amel, co-writes the screenplay, which is an adaptation of Damien Lewis’ book “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops.”

The Upshaws return for an engaging fifth season

April 18, 2024

Season 5 of Netflix’s “The Upshaws” has arrived, welcoming back the patriarch, Bennie Upshaw (played by Mike Epps), and his family as they navigate life in the Hoosier state. The series continues to follow the lives of a Black working-class family living in Indianapolis. Bennie is a charming and well-intentioned mechanic who wants to provide for his family. Still, his tendency to overthink the simplest of situations and chaos often leads to humorous situations. The Upshaw family includes Bennie’s wife Regina (played by Kim Fields), their two young daughters Aaliyah (portrayed by Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins) and Maya (played by Journey Christine), and their firstborn son Bernard (played by Jermelle Simon). Also living with them is Kelvin (Diamond Lyons), Bennie’s son, from another woman (Gabrielle Dennis).

Sunset Sasquatch is a quirky family dramedy

April 17, 2024

The Zellner brothers have created a new film named “Sasquatch Sunset,” which explores the world of Sasquatches. The film is produced by Bleeker Street and is set in North America’s misty forests. It follows the journey of a family of Sasquatches – Riley Keough, Jesse Eisenberg, Christophe Zajac-Denek, and Nathan Zellner – possibly the last of their kind. Over one year, they embark on an absurd, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey, fighting for survival as they collide with the ever-changing world. These hairy and noble giants will make you laugh, cry, and root for their survival as they adjust to the changing world.

ABOUT US

Reviews And Dunn is a unique blog showcasing all things cinema, music & theater.

MENU

SOCIAL

Instagram Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Dribbble

© Copyright Reviews & Dunn. All rights reserved

Website designed with by OWD

▲