Directed by: Marielle Heller
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper, Susan Kelechi Watson, Maryann Plunkett
Fred Rogers created a soothing, calming persona amidst the madness of the world around us. He was so kind, gentle, and near saintly that the more cynical would simply count the minutes until the other shoe would drop and dear Mr. Rogers was exposed as a phony. This was not the case. As documented so excellently in last year's Won't You Be My Neighbor?, Fred Rogers the children's show host and Fred Rogers the real person were practically one and the same. He would not have it any other way. Mr. Rogers believed if you presented anything less than your true self, a child would sniff it out right away.
Who better to play Mr. Rogers than Tom Hanks, the actor who epitomizes the kind everyman? A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is based on true events, but it is not a Mr. Rogers biopic. Fred Rogers is the catalyst for the sad, angry reporter interviewing him for an Esquire article to forgive his own father and let go of the anger which has been gnawing at him for years. This is not a simple thing. Lloyd Vogel (Rhys) carries that emotional baggage around in his face and his posture. He looks sad, he is sad, and he takes his anger out on those who love him. His reputation as a writer is not a good one. He can write, but he tends to take his frustration with the world out on his interview subjects.
Lloyd isn't thrilled with being assigned what he thinks is a puff piece, but he soon learns he is being interviewed by Fred Rogers as much as he is interviewing Fred Rogers. That is because Fred feels Lloyd's pain and tries to ease it. He cares for Lloyd and wants him to deal with his emotions in a much healthier way. Mr. Rogers discusses forgiveness and handling negative feelings on his show, and now Lloyd is someone for him to practice on.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood doesn't present Lloyd's troubles in a perfunctory way. His story is compelling, made more so by his father Jerry (Cooper) who clearly wants to make amends for his past misdeeds. Lloyd won't let him in, and Jerry is heartbroken by his son's unwillingness to let bygones be bygones. Jerry wasn't a great guy once upon a time. He drank, and he left his family as Lloyd's mother was dying from cancer. At his sister's wedding, Lloyd punches Jerry, and feels no catharsis, just more regret. Lloyd's scenes aren't just built in to kill time until we see Mr. Rogers again. Even when Mr. Rogers isn't present, his spirit is all around.
Hanks doesn't give us a Mr. Rogers impression, but instead he dissolves into the uniquely generous man whose presence is missed...especially today. The role is a natural for Hanks. However, it would give me equal joy to hear Chris Cooper's name read for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Hanks is practically a shoo-in for the nomination in the same category. Cooper takes what could've been a one-dimensional role and filled it with life. The fact that Jerry wants so badly to reconcile with his son makes his scenes with Lloyd all the more touching. Rhys is also perfectly cast. His face tells the story, and with a countenance like that, the acting takes care of itself.
Marielle Heller, who directed last year's delightful Can You Ever Forgive Me?, takes potentially sappy and melodramatic material and makes it moving. You hear the instantly recognizable twinkles which made up Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood's theme music. Some of the segues between scenes take place with sets built just like Mr. Rogers' land of make believe. And watch the final scene in which Mr. Rogers takes his own advice and bangs the low keys on the piano when something is troubling him. We didn't need any other words besides that to empathize with the man who gave joy to so many others.
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