A beautiful life Sarah Harding takes a look at the new movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, starring Tom Hanks, which tells the story of Fred Rogers.
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om Hanks’ latest film brings to life a story about the American children’s television personality, Fred Rogers. From 1968 to 2001, Rogers entertained millions of American children on his show Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood. He encouraged children to talk about their feelings and proved that this could be achieved without gimmicks or sophistication. Rogers used puppets whose mouths didn’t move and sang self-written songs, to let children know they were special. Often, he would simply talk down the barrel of the lens in a slow and purposeful way to engage with his audience – children over three decades were captivated. Whilst Irish audiences might not be familiar with Rogers, and therefore not fully appreciate the film, it is the character of the real Fred Rogers that certainly has something to teach us all. He was an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, and although he never talked explicitly about God on his show, his life of faith resonated so strongly in who he was and what he said
Quotes by Fred Rogers
How many times have you noticed that it’s the little quiet moments in the midst of life that seem to give the rest extra-special meaning?
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that children and parents, over many years, were challenged and changed by encountering him.
The story The film is based on a true story and is set in 1998 when Esquire journalist, Lloyd Vogel, is tasked with interviewing Fred Rogers for a short piece on American heroes. Lloyd is an investigative journalist who is scathing of the assignment and, not believing that Rogers could be that good and kind in real life, sets about trying to write an exposé piece that will uncover the truth. Lloyd does discover the real Mr Rogers, but he finds out that he is exactly the same person as the one on screen, and a lasting friendship ensues. Fred’s agent tells Lloyd, “He loves people like you…”, clarifying, “broken ones”. Lloyd is a damaged character, having had a difficult
…his life of faith resonated so strongly in who he was and what he said…
I don’t think anyone can grow unless he’s loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be.
background and ongoing issues with his father. Rogers completely catches Lloyd unawares by sincerely caring, turning most questions directed at him back to the journalist. The plot explores many themes, like forgiveness, kindness and mental health; it’s the sort of film that you will be thinking about long after it is over.
Space for silence and listening Although Tom Hanks puts in a stellar performance as Mr Rogers, it is the real footage of Fred, available on YouTube, that I found particularly compelling. In many ways Rogers was ahead of his time. Long before the invention of the internet, social media and smartphones, which have undoubtedly contributed to our distracted, hurried and informationoverloaded society; Rogers recognised the importance of space for silence and listening. To watch this unfold on screen is actually quite jarring, simply because it appears so alien, not only to how other films are shot, but also to real life. There is a lovely scene when Fred
If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet… There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.
Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.
