At the Chinese restaurant in Fred Rogers’ beloved Pittsburgh, suffering Lloyd Vogel, played by Matthew Rhys, gets why Mister Rogers likes people like him: He’s “broken”. Tom Hanks’s Fred looks in Lloyd’s eyes, “You’re not broken.” He invites Lloyd to think about the ones, who “loved you into existence”.
That’s the touching humanity of Director Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood“. Yes, the movie isn’t perfect. Yet, much like Mister Rogers, it sources from a good space: The power of forgiveness, the power of kindness.
Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster’s screenplay is based on the friendship of Fred Roger (“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”) and Writer Tom Junod. Tom wrote his Esquire article in 1998 that inspired the narrative. At times, “A Beautiful Day” occurs as near allegory, almost fable.
Micah and Noah’s narrative surprise: Fred Rogers isn’t the conceit. Rather, it’s Lloyd’s journey. That seems the catharsis of real-life writer Tom Junod. When distraught Lloyd appears in “Neighborhood of Make-Believe” that’s indulgent disbelief. That can be forgiven, as well.
Throughout, Tom Hank’s poignantly authentic performance as Fred Rogers inspires. Occasionally, Matthew Rhys’s relentless anger gets wearisome. Yet, Tom’s quiet empathy reminds that Lloyd suffers in his unwillingness to just let go.
The movie opens with Mister Rogers in his beloved red sweater asking children at home, “Do you know what forgive means?” That lands. Back when I was one of those kids watching “Mister Rogers'”, I felt that he was talking to me. He listened. He actually got me.
“A Beautiful Day” works in Tom’s powerful listening, and his authentic vulnerability. Solid Maryann Plunkett as Fred’s wife Joanne tells Lloyd that Fred “is not perfect”. He doesn’t want to be a saint, because that would make him “unattainable”. Cynical Lloyd gets that Fred is someone to aspire to be.
Award-winning writer Lloyd is a new father. His understanding wife Andrea, played by smart strong Susan Kelechi Watson, forsakes her career to be the stay-at-home Mom.
Lloyd and Andrea attend his sister Lorraine’s wedding. Lorraine is played by comically aloof Tammy Blanchard. Lorraine invites their estranged jerk-like Father Jerry, played by believable self-righteous Chris Cooper. The two brawl at the wedding, apparently over Lloyd’s late Mother.
Meanwhile, Lloyd, who has the reputation for demonizing interviews, is given an assignment by his Editor Ellen, played by beautiful, edgy Christine Lahti. Esquire Magazine is doing a series on American Heroes. Lloyd’s assignment: Fred Rogers. Even Andrea warns, “… Please don’t ruin my childhood.”
Lloyd looks to reveal Fred’s darker side. After all, no one can be that good? When they do meet: who is interviewing who? Fred admits he wasn’t the best Father to his two sons. He quickly discerns Lloyd’s profound suffering. Lloyd tells of the fight with his Father. Fred sighs, “Oh, my…” Tom’s visceral well of compassion defines “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” as something special.
“A Beautiful Day” is about letting go of the anger that hides our fear. Forgive others as we forgive ourselves. Much like watching “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” back when I was 6 years old, there’s a lesson. Tom’s Fred thoughtfully speaks about the nature of death. He says, “Anything mentionable is manageable.” Amen.
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” might not be perfect, which it never intends to be. Yet, it speaks to the power of forgiveness, the power of kindness. Forgiveness and kindness are the enduring legacy of Fred Rogers. Just saying.
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Watch the official movie trailer:
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This post was originally published on IMDb and is republished here with permission from the author.
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Photo credit: Screenshot from video