'Won't You Be My Neighbor?' A Review

Won't You Be My Neighbor? is a documentary about TV icon Fred Rogers. Through first person interviews, animated sequences, and archival footage the film delves into the life, career, and philosophy of the loving and lovable host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

In our devisive times the reminder of who Mr. Rogers was and what he represented is a balm in and of itself. But learning about the man and explicitly getting a sense of his perspective and worldview, implicit in the show but never direct, is heartening and affirming. There are multiple generations that appreciated and spent time with Mr. Rogers as children but now, as adults, we are old enough and aware enough to really absorb his message of positivity and equality. He promoted the idea of human dignity and that every individual has value. He explicitly directed this towards children as they are the most fragile and vulnerable but this ideology of kindness extended to everyone.

The most striking elements of the film are simply clips from old interviews and excerpts from the show. Mr. Rogers piercing, unwavering, and utterly compassionate blue eyes convey more and mean more than all the accounts from family, friends, and co-workers. The film is compelling, no question, and utterly necessary given the staggering modern propensity for ennui, irony, and reactionism. However the film spends time on more conventional historical and academic information which could, perhaps, be better spent delving further into the graciousness of spirit that made Mr. Rogers unique.

Although messier and amateur the 2010 doc Mister Rogers & Me is better at conveying the essence of the man and providing actionable behaviors that promote the graciousness and gratitude of his mindset.

Lovely and moving but in some ways the man himself remains a mystery.

See It.