Growing up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood wasn't my jam; I didn't like puppets. I did think Mister Rogers was pretty chill and seemed nice. So, I was up for seeing the new movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. I wasn't sure what to expect with the movie. It shows his kindness.
A controversial journalist gets the assignment to write a article on Mister Rogers as part of a series of interviews of heroes. The journalist, Lloyd Vogel goes to interview him and Mister Rogers always just wants to talk about Lloyd. Lloyd's life is a mess. His career is hanging on by a thread and he has no relationship with his dad.
He goes to his sister's wedding and their estranged father is there. The night ends with Lloyd getting a black eye and having a scuffle with his dad. Lloyd's dad abandoned his wife and kids while his wife fought and lost a battle to cancer. That is the cause of Lloyd's bitterness.
Mister Rogers asks about Lloyd's eye, but Lloyd is always deflecting personal questions. Lloyd and his wife have a baby son. Mister Rogers delays the start of his show, so he can visit with a child in need, to the disdain of his staff.
Lloyd arrives home and finds his dad and the dad's girlfriend at his home prepping dinner. Lloyd is enraged and wants his dad to leave which results in the dad having a heart attack. He's now dying.
Lloyd blacks out during one of their meetings and wakes up in Mister Rogers' house. Through all their interactions, Mister Rogers keeps teaching him lessons of the importance of family and treating people kindly.
Lloyd and his family go to help care for his father. Mister Rogers comes, brings pie, and visits with them.
Lloyd's article on Mister Rogers ends up being longer than expected and gets the magazine cover. Lloyd is changed by this friendship and his relationships are all the better for it.
The movie is worth a watch.
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