The life, philosophy, and career of Fred Rogers are the subject of this documentary, highlighting Rogers' famous children's television show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" (1968 - 2001).
The film begins by focusing on the early days of the TV show staff being open and modest about the show's low production values. This is best exemplified by Rogers's singing voice which could be weak at times despite the good heart and sincerity of the singer.
What matters most is Rogers' intentions of helping children feel safe in the world despite its many challenges and difficulties. His show was bold this way in tackling such difficulties in a realistic but compassionate way. In its first year, it helped children deal with the assassination of Robert Kennedy. After its last year, it dealt with 9-11 via a special public service announcement. This alone shows how much violent acts had worsened in thirty-three years.
The first half of the film is good but stays mostly at a surface level. It builds gradually and unnoticeably to a very effective second half which succeeds in making the viewer recall the forgotten vulnerabilities of childhood. This is especially apparent when it juxtaposes clips of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" with the violent video games that were prevalent during the run of the TV show's later years. The contrast is quite jarring.
There is a hint that Rogers wanted kids to have a safer mental environment due to some old wounds from his own childhood. His success is renowned. There are many reasons to praise him and his work but one of the best reasons is that he was despised and reviled by the evil Fred Phelps gang of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church - a collective that are truly the human equivalent of the scum of the earth. Being condemned by such hateful trash can only be a sign of being a good soul.
The good soul is given a very good tribute in this fine film directed by Morgan Neville who also directed the superb "Twenty Feet From Stardom".
The film begins by focusing on the early days of the TV show staff being open and modest about the show's low production values. This is best exemplified by Rogers's singing voice which could be weak at times despite the good heart and sincerity of the singer.
What matters most is Rogers' intentions of helping children feel safe in the world despite its many challenges and difficulties. His show was bold this way in tackling such difficulties in a realistic but compassionate way. In its first year, it helped children deal with the assassination of Robert Kennedy. After its last year, it dealt with 9-11 via a special public service announcement. This alone shows how much violent acts had worsened in thirty-three years.
The first half of the film is good but stays mostly at a surface level. It builds gradually and unnoticeably to a very effective second half which succeeds in making the viewer recall the forgotten vulnerabilities of childhood. This is especially apparent when it juxtaposes clips of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" with the violent video games that were prevalent during the run of the TV show's later years. The contrast is quite jarring.
There is a hint that Rogers wanted kids to have a safer mental environment due to some old wounds from his own childhood. His success is renowned. There are many reasons to praise him and his work but one of the best reasons is that he was despised and reviled by the evil Fred Phelps gang of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church - a collective that are truly the human equivalent of the scum of the earth. Being condemned by such hateful trash can only be a sign of being a good soul.
The good soul is given a very good tribute in this fine film directed by Morgan Neville who also directed the superb "Twenty Feet From Stardom".