A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood is a movie that everyone should watch. It proves that the best thing to do, in any situation, is to be kind.
I immediately was transported back to my childhood watching the opening of A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood. When I was a kid, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was one of my favorite shows. My mom did daycare when I was in school, so I watched it for years and years — even past the age that most kids did. So this movie was really something special for me.
Tom Hanks is an incredible actor. That has never been up for debate. But WOW. He was transformed into Fred Rogers, and I quite often felt like I was watching Fred, not Tom, throughout the movie. And honestly, he wasn’t even the main part of the story. Surprisingly, this movie is more about Lloyd Vogel, and his struggles with his father, than it is about Mister Rogers. Mister Rogers just helps him come to terms with his feelings, and ultimately find peace in them.
Coping With Your Feelings
Mister Rogers always had a way with kids — but in this movie he has a way with adults too. I imagine this to be true with the real Fred Rogers. From the moment he first meets Lloyd Vogel, who is tasked with writing an article about him, he knows that he is struggling. He seems to genuinely be concerned, and spends many moments trying to get Lloyd to discuss his feelings.
Eventually, he breaks through and Lloyd realizes that he needs to forgive his father. Such a great lesson to teach viewers of this movie – young and old. Sometimes forgiveness is the greatest gift we can give. It is sure to be a burden lifted off the shoulders of both parties involved.
A Story That Will Touch You
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood is sure to touch you, no matter who you are. It is a beautiful (no pun intended) story about love, forgiveness, and acceptance. This movie made me take a deeper look at parts of my life, and it really touched me to my core. It is such a fantastic film, about a truly incredible man.
I hope those that need to watch this movie — really need to watch it — do so. There is so much to be learned here, and I think everyone should watch it. When my daughters are a little older, I will show it to them. Right now they are a little too young, and it would be a little too slow for them. But I think it would be beneficial to children ages 11 and up.
Overall Thoughts
Just as Lloyd’s article ends up being more about himself then Mister Rogers, I learned a lot about myself while watching this movie. There are some people in my life that I needed to forgive. REALLY forgive. And I have now done so. And there is no feeling better than that in the world.
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was one of my favorites growing up. He helped me learn a lot about my emotions and all sorts of things when I was a child. And I know I am not alone in that. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a must see movie for anyone who is going through anything. Perhaps it will teach you a little bit more about yourself.
Not to mention hearing a lot of Mister Rogers’ songs again, that was pretty amazing. And continue to watch the beginning of the credits — there are some really cool scenes there. If you watched Mister Rogers’ neighborhood, you will love that part.
About A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
Lloyd Vogel is an investigative journalist who receives an assignment to profile Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers. He approaches the interview with skepticism, as he finds it hard to believe that anyone can have such a good nature. But Roger’s empathy, kindness and decency soon chips away at Vogel’s jaded outlook on life, forcing the reporter to reconcile with his own painful past.
Bonus Features
By now you guys should know why I love home releases so much — the bonus features! I feel like deleted scenes can really help bring a movie together for me. And who doesn’t love the blooper reel?
- Over 15 Minutes of Additional Scenes
- Blooper Reel
- Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers
- The People Who Make a Neighborhood: The Making Of
- Dreaming Big, Building Small: The Puppets & Miniatures
- Daniel Tiger Explains: Practice Makes Perfect
- Filmmaker Commentary
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood is available to take home now!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.