Directed by Marielle Heller
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper
Rated PG for some strong thematic material, a brief fight, and some mild language
The very moment “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” begins, the audience hears very familiar musical notes. The film begins as it were an episode of “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” and Tom Hanks appears on screen singing “it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood...”. The audience instantly feels nostalgia for the days of when they were a child watching Fred Rogers. The nostalgia carries on throughout the film in a emotional filled film.
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” stars Matthew Rhys ,as Lloyd Vogel, as tough journalist who is tasked with writing a piece about children television host Fred Rogers (played by Tom Hanks). All while slowly learning what Fred Rogers is all about, Vogel uses his teachings and applies it to reconnecting with his father ( played by Chris Cooper).
As previously mentioned before, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” begins as it were an episode of “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood”. When Tom Hanks appears on screen, it threw me off because all I could see was Tom Hanks. But Hank’s performance as Fred Rogers quickly changed my mind and any doubts I had about him. Tom Hanks used Fred Roger’s mannerisms and voice to get into the role of Fred Rogers. I also applaud Matthew Rhys as Lloyd Vogel. Rhys is a Welsh actor who does a great American accent. No one would think this actor is from Wales because he doesn’t show signs of doing an American accent. But Rhys does a perfect job carrying the film. The film is not a Fred Rogers biopic, its a film that shows family conflict with Rogers being on the outside looking in. Rhys is the main actor of the film and his performance is as well done as Hanks.
Each time Hanks and Rhys are on screen, they are a joy to watch. Rogers is trying to get to Vogel to open up, yet Vogel just sees Rogers as another interview he has to conduct. But slowly, Vogel sees that Rogers doesn’t play a character in his television show. Rogers plays himself and actually cares about humans. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” shows Rogers sparingly, as he is not present for every scene of the film. The other half of the film displays a family drama that many of us may be familiar with.
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is a sweet, emotional film that sparks nostalgia the moment it starts. Actors Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys have great chemistry when they are on screen together. The message that Rogers presents of being kind and forgiving is a message we can all get behind in this day of age.
3.5/4
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