Hollywood Movie Review – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – 2019

Movie Review – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Any movie that Tom Hanks does, is worth watching, at least as far as I am concerned.

This movie is based roughly on Fred Rogers and his interaction with investigative reporter Lloyd Vogel. Fred Rogers, being the epitome of goodness and nicety, was a TV presenter of the long running children’s show ‘Mister Rogers Neighborhood’. Who else to play a downright good man but Tom Hanks, who exudes affability and warmth?

Lloyd is assigned the duty to interview Rogers for his magazine and after watching his shows Lloyd is convinced that the man has something to hide, a dark side that he keeps carefully away from the prying eyes of the world, after all who in today’s day and time, is all round nice??

As the attempt to find the chunks in Rogers’ armour falters, Vogel finds himself being interviewed by Rogers and slowly but steadily gives up his own insecurities, his confrontational relationship with his father and the reasons behind it.

Rogers’ innate sincerity and charm breaks down Vogel’s mind barriers and he starts becoming a different man from the conflicted individual that he was.

In his TV shows, Rogers tries to give the children a positive way of handling the issues that face them, and although it seems a bit impractical but it would also be ridiculous to expect a TV show to solve all your psychological issues!

Tom Hanks is charming, sincere, nice and kind beyond belief in this, Matthew Rhys (as Lloyd Vogel) is suitably troubled and in pain. Though I found it to be a little thin on the story, it’s the performances which keep you engrossed.

Tom Hanks proves time and again why he rates so high as an actor and the way he immerses himself into the role should be a lesson for all aspiring actors around the world.