“Won’t you be my Neighbor” movie review.
Manny Lincoln
“Love is what makes things happen and the lack of love stops things from happening”, Mr. Rogers quote starts the documentary movie,
I am too young to have ever seen one of his programs. I went into the theater knowing nothing about Mr. Rogers. The movie quickly grabs your attention through interviews with Mr. Rogers where he talks directly to the viewer.
From 1951 to 2001, Fred Rogers had a television program on PBS. The documentary movie uses clips from his movies, interviews with family, friends and coworkers, and current event television news coverage to tell the story of his life and work with children for fifty years.
Fred Rogers was both an ordained minister and child psychologist. His programs did not shy away from tackling difficult social problems. The clips effectively show the courageous relevance of his program to helping children understand current events. The programs honestly spoke to children about the topics of the Vietnam war, guns, fear, isolation, peace, death, racism, riots, violence, both Kennedy assassinations, anger, love, divorce, handicaps, people lying, and other childhood anxieties that all children go through. Mr. Rogers lived his life dedicated to children. He believed even young children can understand complex ideas of fairness, kindness and having empathy for other humans. The 1960’s through the 1990’s were turbulent political and social times in America. Although it was about the past, I felt it also covered all the same problems we are struggling with today. The relevance to today’s problems keeps the viewer interested and seeking answers for today’s problems. The movie does not drag and keeps the viewers interest.
For me, this was an experience, not just a film. The movie ends asking the viewer to take a minute and think about the people who have loved them and how their love changed their lives.
Hello Manny,
My childhood also came after the Mr. Roger’s shows, and I can not recall having seen a single one. I was aware of his general presence in children’s television, but I had no idea that the topics he chose to utilize in his programs were so serious and true to life. I commend your use of a direct quote from the film, specifically the way you employed it to introduce your review. This strategy to draw readers in was very effective, as it immediately brought the film into focus.
Hi Manny,
I was lucky enough to catch the end of Mr. Rogers television run (yes I’m old!) and I must say, I truly enjoyed the shows (even watching most of them as reruns!). He really seemed to be a caring individual who truly believed in the part he played, which came through in his acting. I love your wrap up when you described the film as an experience, not just a film. That really resonated with me…and is the perfect description of Mr. Rogers’ shows. thank you!
Dan
Hey Manny,
I have only seen bits and pieces of Mr. Rogers T.V program. I deeply have respect for Mr. Rogers because of his patience with children and firm beliefs in kindness. Your review perfectly captures the essence of his personality and the history of the era. Remembering Mr. Rogers makes me wish he was still on T.V because his show was about important morals and about making a difference with kindness and acceptance towards others.
I honestly am as lost as how you were when you first watched this movie. I don’t really know much about Fred Rogers but I sure did gain so knowledge about him just by reading your review. I like that you described what his work is about and all the issues it would cover. Definitely something I will look into.