A Sony Picture, Written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster, Directed by Marielle Heller.
This film could quite easily have been a run of the mill biopic about a famous American idol. However, what we get is an inventive story about Mister Rogers, and more specifically about how his brand of kindness is something we should all strive towards.
The film uses the framing device of the story being told as though it is a extended episode of Mr Roger’s show, detailing how Mr Rogers helps our protagonist Lloyd to finally confront his issues with his father and finally be the family man he wants to be, and through this we are also able to get a deep understanding of Rogers.
He is a constantly kind and thoughtful man, but it is made very clear that this is an active choice. He strives to be kind every day, battling some of his natural instincts, and it isn’t something he is easily able to do, but he is a better man for it.
Marielle Heller is proving herself to be a incredibly versatile and exciting director. She makes some great visual and narestive decisions here, just like she has done in her previous films, and she really makes this film stand out.
Matthew Rhys is really good as the lead of the film, and does a good job walking the line between being haunted by demons but still being likeable enough for us to want him to get better.
Chris Cooper has some of the most important and powerful scenes in the film, and he proves time and time again what a great character actor he is.
There is truly only one man who could’ve played Fred Rogers, and that is one of America‘s most loved sons, Tom Hanks. He gives off such kindness, while also showing us glimpses of his inner struggle, making him a real character and not a cliche. He deserved his Oscar nomination.
“To die is to be human”
Rating = 4/5
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