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Mr. Rogers

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Light of the World

November 21, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood introduces the iconic figure through the eyes of Lloyd Vogel, an investigative journalist with Esquire magazine with a history of exposing the darkness of our world. Tasked with writing a mere 400 words for an issue about our ‘heroes’, Vogel begrudgingly accepts his assignment and begins to meet regularly with the children’s television icon. Rogers immediately takes a liking to Vogel, despite his reputation, and the two begin a friendship that changes Lloyd’s life forever.

Directed by Marielle Heller, Beautiful Day lives up to its name. Based on the true story of investigative reporter Tom Junod, Beautiful Day is a powerful journey that demonstrates the power that a live of love and kindness can have on a broken soul. Although one might be expecting a biopic about Mr. Rogers, this is a film that wisely avoids the trappings of the traditional structure (especially considering the popularity of last year’s doc, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?) Instead, by taking this particular narrative framework, Heller allows the film to explore the impact that Rogers’ unpretentious yet profound worldview impacted the culture around him. 

As Rogers, Hanks absolutely transports himself into the role. While he has built up a reputation of being Hollywood’s ‘nicest guy’ himself, his performance is simply remarkable. Adopting every mannerism, intonation and spiritual altruism, Hanks brings the iconic yet mysterious figure to life. (And, yes, he looks good in a sweater vest.) There has always remained a simplicity to Rogers’ approach that Hanks manages to capture with joyful enthusiasm. It is easily his most engaging role in two decades.

While there’s little doubt that this is an admirable portrait of Rogers and his impact, the film does not deify him. Despite being begged by those around him not to ‘ruin their childhood’ by revealing the dark secrets of Mr. Rogers to the world, Vogel nevertheless pulls no punches for the iconic performer, asking him about his personal burdens, family issues and more. In the process, Vogel discovers that, although Rogers remains somewhat of a mystery, their conversations reveal the imperfections of his humanity but still shows his deep love of others. A film like this becomes even more important when one considers that we live in a world where our childhood heroes are being exposed as frauds. In days when it feels like a new scandal is coming to light every day, Beautiful Day is a reminder that there are still imperfect people that are worthy of highlighting for their impact on others. 

Though overburdened and flawed himself, Rogers continues to fight for the hearts and souls of the broken around him through his ‘simple’ message of love and acceptance. In his conversations with Vogel, Rogers simply listens with empathy and calls Lloyd to choose forgiveness and grace in the face of overwhelming hurt and anger. (“Let’s take a moment of silence and think about all the people who loved us to where we are,” Rogers asks in one particularly poignant moment.) For Rogers, the light of hope stems from listening and love and he is unyielding in his invitation to point that out to others.

Earnest and engaging, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is truly a ray of sunlight in a world looking for spiritual champions. Though Rogers would never want to be called a hero, his life of love, hope and unrelenting grace is a beacon, not just for Vogel (or the real life Junod) but for everyone within his circle of influence.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is currently playing at the Toronto International Film Festival. For more screenings, click here.

Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Matthew Almaric, Mr. Rogers, Tom Hanks

TIFF ’19: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

September 13, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood introduces the iconic figure through the eyes of Lloyd Vogel, an investigative journalist with Esquire magazine with a history of exposing the darkness of our world. Tasked with writing a mere 400 words for an issue about our ‘heroes’, Vogel begrudgingly accepts his assignment and begins to meet regularly with the children’s television icon. Rogers immediately takes a liking to Vogel, despite his reputation, and the two begin a friendship that changes Lloyd’s life forever.

Directed by Marielle Heller, Beautiful Day lives up to its name. Based on the true story of investigative reporter Tom Junod, Beautiful Day is a powerful journey that demonstrates the power that a live of love and kindness can have on a broken soul. As Rogers, Hanks absolutely transports himself into the role. While he has built up a reputation of being Hollywood’s ‘nicest guy’ himself, his performance is simply remarkable. Adopting every mannerism, intonation and spiritual altruism, Hanks brings the iconic yet mysterious figure to life. (And, yes, he looks good in a sweater vest.)

While there’s little doubt that this is an admirable portrait of Rogers and his impact, the film does not deify him. Although Rogers remains somewhat of a mystery, their conversations reveal the imperfections of his humanity but still shows his deep love of others. In days when it feels like a new scandal is coming to light every day, Beautiful Day is a reminder that there are still imperfect people that are worthy of highlighting for their impact on others. Though overburdened and flawed himself, Rogers continues to fight for the hearts and souls of the broken around him through his ‘simple’ message of love and acceptance.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is currently playing at the Toronto International Film Festival. For more screenings, click here.

Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Premieres, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Matthew Almaric, Mr. Rogers, TIFF, TIFF19, Tom Hanks

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? – Fred Rogers’ Message

June 8, 2018 by Darrel Manson Leave a Comment

Mr. Rogers Neighborhood went nationwide in 1968. Mr. Rogers became a part of the life of innumerable children and their parents. Fred Rogers was beloved by many. He was also frequently parodied and ridiculed for his calm and quiet demeanor in a medium that thrives on excitement. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? from Academy Award winning documentarian Morgan Neville is not so much a biography of Mr. Rogers, but an examination and celebration of the ideas that he tried to share to shape the culture and its values. Through archival footage and interviews with people close to him, the film reveals both the philosophy and the person behind those ideas.

Fred Rogers and David Newell, as Speedy Delivery’s Mr. McFeely, stand on the front porch set while filming an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

It is not secret, but perhaps many people don’t know, that Fred Rogers was an ordained minister. The United Presbyterian Church ordained him as an evangelist to television. We see frequently in this film that he understood what he was doing as ministry and mission. His mission, he said, as “to make goodness attractive.” His approach to his children’s program was to try to speak to parents as well as children. His was a message of acceptance, trust, and encouragement. Although never preachy, his message was in many ways the best kind of sermon.

But the film also shows us that his message was not as simple as it is always portrayed. The film shows us a clip from 1968, the day after Robert Kennedy was killed. In that clip Daniel Striped Tiger asks, “What does assassination mean?” Not many shows aimed at children would tackle such problems. But Rogers knew that children were hearing all this news and it was scary. He also understood that parents probably felt ill-equipped to respond. Rogers respected children and their emotions. He was willing to give voice to the fear, anger, and pain that children may not have known how to speak. He modeled a way to hear and speak to children in difficult times. Other issues that Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood addressed—sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly—were racism, disabilities, divorce, and death.

It is only fair that I admit that I have long been a fan of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and look at Fred Rogers as one of my personal heroes. The show wasn’t on when I was a child, but I discovered it as an adult watching it with my son.  To me, Fred Rogers exemplifies the word of Paul: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a).

In recent years society has become divided and it seems to have lost any sense of civility. We demonize those who disagree with us. We dehumanize people from other countries or of different religions or sexual identity. We speak with anger and hatred. We could do worse than to hear Fred Rogers speaking to us as he did to a generation of children: I like you just the way you are. It is only by knowing that we are likable in and of ourselves that we will be able to see the others around us as likable as well. Fred Rogers recognized the truth that we are all children of God, that God loves each of us (and even that God likes each of us). He tried to teach us to like ourselves so that we could learn to like the people around us.

Photos courtesy of Focus Features

Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: documentary, Mr. Rogers, Won't You Be My Neighbor?

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