Won't You Be My Neighbor Movie Review

Won't You Be My Neighbor  (2018)

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Directed by: Morgan Neville
Starring: Fred Rogers. François Clemmons. Yo-Yo Ma, Joe Negri, Kailyn Davis, David Newell, Joanne Rogers
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
For over 30 years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer, and producer was seen in home across America in his television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about life's weightiest issues in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn't been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn't been since.

Verdict
This is a documentary about the show, not the man. While there is plenty of overlap, this was a chance to reminiscence about the show I enjoyed as a kid. Fred Rogers is incredibly genuine and empathetic, to a degree that could almost seem like an act except for the fact it's not. Even if you've never seen his show, get a glimpse of what kids programming used to be. Look at one man's passion to address children in a meaningful way.
Watch it.

Review
Don't confuse this with the upcoming Tom Hanks film Won't You Be My Friend where Hanks plays Mr. Rogers. Fred's goal was to create programming for kids that had a message. He started with low production values, and that never really changed. It was the message that was crucial.

He truly loved children and wanted to make something that was challenging and illuminating. He didn't like cartoons that were advertising for toys or mindless images. He engaged children and talked to them through his show about heavy topics, death and divorce for instance. This is a wholesome documentary, though it's not for the whole family. It does get into spoofs of the show with Eddie Murphy and Johnnie Carson.

It's striking just how much he cared, and how he was willing to challenge society. The relationship Mr. Rogers had with Officer Clemmons on the show and the actor off the show challenged beliefs.
This doesn't get into Roger's personal life much, though we do see interviews with his family. This is about his show and the factors that made it what it was. He knew that all children were special and needed to be told they were loved. While this does have a clip that criticizes that message and making children ill-prepared for the world by thinking they are unique, it isn't addressed.
There is a big difference between unique and exempt. It's an argument about the participation trophy, but the root of that issue isn't the trophy but parents demanding their child is recognized and deemed special. This ties directly to shielding children from strong topics. Parents think loving a child is shielding them, but Mr. Rogers knew that challenging children and talking to them directly was crucial for their development. Children need to know how to address strong emotions.