Review of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) by Compi24 — 23 Nov 2019

Yet another cinematic testament to the disarmingly kind genius that was Fred Rogers, albeit by proxy, as this is a most assuredly lesser version of the Mr. Rogers story (see Morgan Neville's masterful "Won't You Be My Neighbor" for the best, most authentic relation of this story that money can buy).

Although, "lesser" in this case does not equate in any way to the word "bad," as director Marielle Heller has delivered yet another effective, understated, and satisfying parable of a misanthrope learning how to be a better, more complete human being.

With Matthew Rhys's underrated and underrepresented central performance, the drama is very real, affecting and emotional, evoking both tears of joy and sadness at numerous moments. And, though Hanks's may not entirely conjure up the exact portrait of Rogers himself, the spirit of the performance is absolutely on point, with the actor even managing to nail a few of the mannerisms from scene to scene as well.

All in all, this is a difficult movie to pick apart, as I'm a simple man -- I see anything that has to do with Fred, I like anything that has to do with Fred. This is a film that Fred would most assuredly be proud of, so I am -- in turn -- glad to have seen it.