Director: Marielle Heller
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys and Chris Cooper
‘A Beautiful Biopic
Not many actors are as beloved as Tom Hanks. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Hanks has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, troubled soldiers or corrupt managers, Hanks has portrayed a wide variety of characters. Arguably, Hanks’ finest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He is one of those actors which has always had a talent for creating characters which are likeable. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Hanks has established a legacy that’s lasting. Known as America’s Sweetheart, Hanks has created movies that audiences consider art. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hanks has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. Throughout his commemorated career, Hanks has started in many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hanks and adore all the movie he has made in his career. However, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” is his most meaningful work. Released back in 2019, Marielle Heller’s movie offered a bold tribute towards Fred Rogers and his strong legacy. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a legendary television icon. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” a true masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most biopics, it tackles strong themes that that everyone will relate to. A breathtaking biography about a television icon, there are several reasons why “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” is a movie that’s definitely worth watching.
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” tells the story of a legendary icon seeking to be misunderstood. Matthew Rhys plays Lloyd Vogel, a cynical journalist that has always looked at the world from a negative point of view. Lloyd struggles to reconnect with his estranged father in a dysfunctional family. However, Lloyd’s life forever changes when he’s given the opportunity to interview Fred Rogers. Rogers (Tom Hanks) is a legendary television icon with strong dedication to his profession. As he gets to know Rogers on a personal level, Lloyd’s perspective on life is changed in a massive way. Seeing the silver linings finally in life, Lloyd seeks to repair his broken relationship with his family members. As the odds are stacked against his favour, Lloyd questions whether it’s possible for him to be a successful reporter.
Marielle Heller has always been fascinated with the themes of journalism. A fantastic female filmmaker, Heller has often crafted engaging movies about lives of reporters. Her iconic film “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” offered a strong portrait of reporters that seek forgiveness. With “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood”, however, Heller made her first biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to celebrate the legacy of a strong television icon, but she succeeds. Through captivating cinematography, Heller conveys a television icon embarking on a journey to find her identity. Evoking Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump”, Heller expertly uses point of view shots to capture tension that television icons are enduring. For instance, POV shots elevate the Fred Rogers introduction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Fred meets Lloyd for the first time beginning their strong friendship. Using POV shots, Heller creates portrait of a television icon that’s engaging. POV shots are tricky techniques. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” claimed, POV shots enhance WWII movies. However, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Heller captures tension that television icons are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” which merits appreciation is the production. Emulating Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy”, Heller successfully uses the setting of a newsroom to capture interviews between television icons. For instance, newsroom settings elevate the Fred Rogers interview scene. During this heartfelt scene, Rogers has an engaging interview with Lloyd that reveals his personality. Using the setting of a newsroom, Heller honours the legacy of a television icon. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Nate Heller’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a burden that television icons bear. Through stunning production, Heller captures television icons facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” is a film about television icons that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture the bonds between television icons and journalists. Throughout the movie, Fred Rogers shares a bond with Lloyd through the moments of silence. For instance, the silence enhances the farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Lloyd has a moment of farewell with Fred Rogers in a final goodbye. Through silence, Heller crafts a portrait of a television icon that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away” suggested, silence enhances films about island survival. Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia” proved that silence elevates films about the AIDS crisis. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through an exceptional screenplay, Heller honours a television icon that’s beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his best career performances as Fred Rogers. Hanks first earned appreciation for playing teenagers in coming of age dramas. With “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary television icon but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past: charismatic, emotional and iconic in his most celebrated role. With breathtaking expressions, he captures the angst, grief and likeable personality of a television icon in history. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors that is working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Hanks, the supporting cast is also brilliant and worthy of appreciation. Matthew Rhys is remarkable, capturing the hardship that a journalist looking at a world from a negative point of view goes through. Chris Cooper is captivating, capturing the distant nature of a father struggling to reconnect with a long lost son. Lastly, Susan Watson is worthy of recognition. As a feminist journalist, she is unforgettable.
Finally, everyone would love “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” for honouring television icons that are misunderstood. Unlike most movies about TV icons, the movie tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, family and trauma which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” is one of those rare films about television icons everyone will adore.
Fans of Tom Hanks will absolutely love “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood” and so will movie-goers which seek heartwarming entertainment. A mesmerizing biopic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking movie about a legendary television icon seeking beauty in his local neighbourhood, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor that has created a successful career through his abilities to portray good characters with humanity in movies which are treasured in Hollywood.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 