This one is a nice, feel-good, inspiring family movie. And it helps that it is loosely based on real events. I recommend that after watching A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, you read the 1998 Esquire article it is based on – Can You Say . . . Hero? And then watch the 2018 documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Both will make you realize what this world lost when Fred Rogers died.
Tanya’s Score: Good-and-a-half*
Rated: PG
Starring: America’s sweetheart (Tom Hanks) playing America’s sweetheart (Mr. Rogers)
Plot: A cynical journalist (Matthew Rhys) is tasked with writing an article on beloved television star Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks).
Tanya’s Verdict: This movie is well done – from its acting to the way it unfolds to the Mr. Rogers-esque effects to the themes it represents. Society needs a movie with messages like this one – now more than ever. Messages like the importance of compassion and forgiveness and living in the present.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is sweet and loveable in the same way that Mr. Rogers is. It’s also a tad hokey – but again – we’re talking about Mr. Rogers here.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a nice family movie – that is loosely based on real events – although truth be told – my youngest child (aged 9) was a tad bored.
*Four score descriptions: Sh**; Okay; Good; Great