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Parents' Guide to

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Biopic captures Rogers' generous spirit, empathy, kindness.

Movie PG 2019 108 minutes
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 11+

Based on 29 parent reviews

age 10+

The kindness of Fred rogers in extraorianary. Great film for families

Tom hanks is unbelievable in it. Fred rogers is so kind to everyone. No matter how big all small. Parents will adore Tom hanks in it. So many positive messages and role models.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
age 9+

Helps show the value of talking about our feelings

Demonstrates the power of looking for the good in others and they will see the good in you.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (29 ):
Kids say (21 ):

This drama is a poignant, powerful tribute to the man who embodied kindness and love to children and adults for four decades, thanks to Hanks' fabulous performance. Director Marielle Heller's (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) second unconventional biographical drama isn't a straightforward birth-to-death chronicle but rather a fascinating look at how a jaded man who's highly cynical about father figures and role models learns to forgive, love, and trust more through his growing connection with Fred Rogers. Rhys is well cast as a distrustful Manhattan journalist (his wife, beautifully played by Watson, even begs him "please don't ruin my childhood") who slowly realizes that Rogers is the real thing.

Despite Rhys' compelling storyline as the emotionally closed-off Lloyd, this film belongs to Rogers -- and therefore to Hanks' portrayal of the soft-spoken, cardigan-sporting, devout children's programming creator. Hanks transforms into Rogers without it feeling like a strict imitation. Yes, he captures the essence of Rogers' speaking voice, walk, and overall demeanor (as far as anyone who watched the series is concerned), but the performance isn't a carbon copy; it's an homage. Fred and Lloyd's relationship leads to personal growth and acceptance, and the movie is full of Rogers' philosophy about each child, each person being precious. Rogers was indeed an extraordinary man, and the film is a reminder to everyone that generosity, kindness, security, and love are all we really need to be happy.

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