Movie Review: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
SPOILER ALERT: I will discuss elements of theme and plot, so I encourage you to watch the film before reading this review. However, if you’d like to jump to the bottom of this post for a note on the film’s content, feel free to do so.
It has been said that great movies have the capacity to teach the viewer how to watch them. I am convinced that A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - the latest film from director Marielle Heller - is a truly great film, but it took me a while to learn exactly how to watch it.
I remember thinking in the film’s early scenes that the dialogue was a bit stilted - especially between Esquire reporter Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) and his wife, Andrea (Susan Kelechi Watson). Lloyd is a stand-in for the real-life reporter, Tom Junod, who famously profiled Fred Rogers (portrayed here by Tom Hanks). I remember being worried that the dialogue would be like this throughout the film, but I should have trusted Heller more than that. Can You Ever Forgive Me? was one of my favorite films of 2018, and Heller ups her game here.
I don’t know if many others will make this comparison, but this film taught me to watch it in a similar way that David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive did. I remember thinking that Betty’s dialogue was over-the-top early in the film. But, as I watched the film, I realized that this was a particular choice. The reasons became clear as I went deeper into the film’s story. The same thing happens here.
You might come to this film thinking it is about Fred Rogers. But don’t expect a traditional biopic about the legendary children’s show host. Heller has other designs here. Rogers was a man who put the focus on others. Even his common refrain “Won’t you be my neighbor?” speaks to this. So, doesn’t it make sense that a biopic “of” him only tangentally focuses on him? Instead, Vogel takes the lead and it is his interplay with Rogers that unearths the film’s themes.
When Vogel meets Mr. Rogers, he thinks it’s all an act. His questions make it clear that he’s looking for the real man beneath the veneer. But he quickly finds that Mr. Rogers is real with everyone he meets. His sincerity is palpable. This film approaches the viewer with that same sincerity, but don’t mistake it for being flat. In our cynical world, sincerity is often lost on us. But this film is a testament to the power that a truly sincere person can have.
Vogel and Rogers have real conversations. It is Rogers that drives the conversation there, though it is Vogel who is supposed to do the interviewing. And here is where the early dialogue is given a prism through which to view it. We realize that, even in his most intimate relationships, Vogel was not discussing anything real. His life had been bifurcated, with so much under the surface that kept his interactions only surface-level. So that’s why the dialogue was purposely stilted in the beginning - they weren’t talking about real things. As the story continues, they begin to talk about more personal issues, and the actors’ talent is put on full display.
You see, Vogel doesn’t talk with his dad, Jerry (Chris Cooper). This has been the case ever since Jerry left Vogel’s mother when she was terminally ill. She died in great pain, and Vogel has never been the same. This is held deep within, but Rogers is able to get at it. This is introduced masterfully by making the Rogers/Vogel story part of a fictional segment on Rogers’ legendary show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. There are also fantastic interludes that are callbacks to that show with minature cities and vehicles. Even so, Mr. Rogers and his show are never the focus, it’s always Vogel.
Let me take this opportunity to praise the film’s acting. Tom Hanks is probably the reason most people are coming to the film. He is perfectly cast as Fred Rogers. You can’t imagine anyone else playing the role. And he more than lives up to the hype. I certainly think we take Hanks for granted as he is one of our great actors. Yes, he has two Oscar wins, yet it has been a long time since he’s been nominated and he has been turning in worthy performances for years. Will this one get him back to that stage? Only time will tell, but I certainly think the performance is worthy of that level of acclaim.
But this is really Rhys’ film. Mr. Rogers put the focus on others throughout his life. The film gets at that by flipping the biopic format on its head and letting the heroic figure largely linger on the edges of the film. Vogel is a character with many layers, and Rhys finds the right moments to let those various layers shine through.
Finally, Chris Cooper is fantastic. He’s been a wonderful character actor for many years, but I think this is a career performance from him. Despite the horrible things he has done to his family, we’re still able to see this character’s humanity. That’s an incredible testimony to the power of Cooper’s work.
Marielle Heller is clearly one of the best directors working today - full stop. She knows exactly when to deploy simple moments that hold great emotional and thematic power, and she has the visual storytelling talent to depict them.
The film’s cinematography by Jody Lee Lipes and editing by Anne McCabe are both fantastic. This film is so strong from a technical standpoint. Shots of characters’ faces are allowed to linger as we feel the brunt of the film’s emotional storytelling begin to take shape.
So much of our conversation with each other never gets past the point of fake banter. This is, unfortunately, even true with those we hold most dear. The life of Fred Rogers is a testament to the impact that comes from having the courage to engage people in real conversation; to see each other as having inherent worth and unique insights; and giving other people our attention and appreciation. This one interaction between Rogers and a reporter is the perfect way into this larger-than-life persona who reached that by simple moments of being real and sincere.
“It’s such a good feeling
To know you’re alive
It’s such a happy feeling
You’re growing inside
And when you wake up ready to say
”I think I’ll make a snappy new day”
It’s such a good feeling
A very good feeling
The feeling you know
That I’ll be back
When the day is new.
And I’ll have more ideas for you.
And you’ll have things you’ll want to talk about
I
Will
Too.”
NOTE ON CONTENT: This film is rated PG, and thus there is not much adult content in it. The only content of the sort comes in the form of some mild language and a brief fight. There is no sexual content. Overall, this is a wonderful film for families to watch. It is able to deal with difficult themes in ways that will be appropriate for kids to engage with - much in the same way that Fred Rogers handled his show. This is one of the best films of the year, for sure.