What's advertised as a standard look at Mr. Rogers' life is actually an in-depth look at what he valued and how he changed lives. This is because A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is one of the boldest and most inventive biopics in years.
It's less about Mr. Rogers and more about the reporter interviewing him, Llyod Vogel, both of which are portrayed beautifully by Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys. Its exploration of Vogel's struggles and how his new friend approached it is encaptivating; it's understanding heartbreaking because of its relatability and how it invites the viewer to understand our own feelings.
The film's direction and writing is so fresh compared to what's been expected nowadays for its kind. It effortlessly recreates what Mr. Rogers' show told its audience and how it communicated with them. No one else could have captured his warmness like director Marielle Heller has, as it's easy to tell how well she realized his teachings. And the screenplay wonderfully compliments her vision, acting as if an episode of the show is being filmed, meaning that the film is filled with warmness and sincerity, moment by moment.
And when I say that it's like an episode of the show being filmed, I meant that to the very bone. Miniature cities fill much of it, beautiful piano music is frequent, and Mr. Rogers even dedicates about a minute of screentime to pure silence just so those watching it can sit and think. It's one of the most purely-made films of the year.
It may be pretty simple all things considered, but regardless even those looking for something more thought-provoking will find it's down to earth storytelling undeniably comforting. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood succeeds not only as a story of Mr. Rogers' impact, but also as a sincere message to moviegoers everywhere.
Final Grade: A-
It's less about Mr. Rogers and more about the reporter interviewing him, Llyod Vogel, both of which are portrayed beautifully by Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys. Its exploration of Vogel's struggles and how his new friend approached it is encaptivating; it's understanding heartbreaking because of its relatability and how it invites the viewer to understand our own feelings.
The film's direction and writing is so fresh compared to what's been expected nowadays for its kind. It effortlessly recreates what Mr. Rogers' show told its audience and how it communicated with them. No one else could have captured his warmness like director Marielle Heller has, as it's easy to tell how well she realized his teachings. And the screenplay wonderfully compliments her vision, acting as if an episode of the show is being filmed, meaning that the film is filled with warmness and sincerity, moment by moment.
And when I say that it's like an episode of the show being filmed, I meant that to the very bone. Miniature cities fill much of it, beautiful piano music is frequent, and Mr. Rogers even dedicates about a minute of screentime to pure silence just so those watching it can sit and think. It's one of the most purely-made films of the year.
It may be pretty simple all things considered, but regardless even those looking for something more thought-provoking will find it's down to earth storytelling undeniably comforting. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood succeeds not only as a story of Mr. Rogers' impact, but also as a sincere message to moviegoers everywhere.
Final Grade: A-
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