When A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood released into theaters, I had been looking forward to it for a long time. I rarely have expectations about films because I understand too much of the process. There’s never any way to tell what direction creatively that a team might choose to take. But with this one, I had a lot invested before it came out. I’m a big fan of Tom Hanks. They filmed in Pittsburgh with people who knew Mr. Rogers. There’s such promise and potential. But I was scared. There’s a line in the movie: “Please don’t screw up my childhood.” Yeah, that.
From the moment I sat in the seat at the theater, I was ready for home and childhood and….safety. Mr. Rogers was safe. Always.
Oh please don’t screw that up.
This movie was based on a true life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Lloyd Vogel. Framed like watching an episode of Mr. Rogers epic children’s program, this story was beautifully scripted. Cinematically, the stark contrast between the make believe neighborhood and ‘real life’ was instant, profound, and stunning. The colors and framework used in building the startling side by side comparison between Mr. Rogers’ worlds and ‘reality’ were amazing. But don’t think because it’s about a childhood hero that it’s fluff without substance. It’s far from fluffy.
I’m also about to make a very bold statement here. Tom Hanks wasn’t the man who should take center stage with the acting kudos in this one.. Matthew Rhys blew it away. I do think Tom Hanks and his incredible professionalism pulled everyone up to a higher standard across the board. But Rhys plumbed the depths of anger, rage, bitterness and pain in nearly every scene. Conversely, Hanks portrayed peace, grace and compassion. It was a beautiful way to watch how actors can play off of each other and level up the quality of a production across the board.
As a Christian, I believe Fred Rogers embodies what we are to be in this world. When everyone around us is hurting and broken, we are to show that love, grace and peace that can only come from God above. Mr. Rogers, in my opinion, is how we should be living the gospel for people. We should be the thing other people want – Fred Rogers had that. All Christians should have it. And show it. I fully belive that. This movie was a brilliant example of that.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood was not at all what I expected it to be. This was not the story of Fred Rogers but it was, at the same time, the story of who he is. It covers parenting. Being a father. Generational sin and brokenness. Despair. Pain. Power. Grace. Peace. Forgiveness. LIFE. This movie isn’t about children’s entertainment. It’s about LIFE. And just as Mr. Rogers himself did for generations of children, the movie teaches us how to make our way through things that aren’t pretty. Or perfect. Or fun. It teaches us in a very real way how to handle hurt and pain and people.
The layers in this movie are incredible. The hope is tangible. I can’t remember when I’ve ever left a movie with such a feeling of…GOOD. We have not had that in society for a LONG time.
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