Whether playing heroic pilot Sully Sullenberger in “Sully,” astronaut Jim Lovell in “Apollo 13” or the iconic animator Walt Disney in “Saving Mr. Banks,” actor Tom Hanks (“Toy Story 4”) has demonstrated himself to be the king of the biographical film genre. With his knack for delivering powerful performances, in addition to a resume filled with roles based on real-life individuals, it seemed to be a no-brainer that Hanks would take on the role of television personality Fred Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Though some may be disappointed by the notion that the film does not place a sole focus on Rogers and his illustrious career, it nonetheless stands as an effective drama which puts a unique spin on the biopic genre.

One must not deny the cultural impact Rogers has had since the premiere of his show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” in 1968. By taking into account how influential he was, the film opts to depict how his work has changed the lives of others, rather than focus on his own life. More specifically, the film depicts Rogers as he aids journalist Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys, “The Report”) as he struggles to reconcile with his long-estranged father, Jerry (Chris Cooper, “Little Women”). Though he is tasked with conducting an interview, Vogel instead finds himself in the position of the interviewee as Rogers takes an interest in his story, thus turning his world upside down as he struggles with his identity as both a family man and a fatherless son. 

The film masterfully tackles sensitive issues regarding family in a way which only Mr. Rogers himself could. By utilizing “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as a backdrop for the film’s events, the film depicts specific segments from the show which subtly connect to the film’s events due to the themes and lessons which they convey. So, just as Rogers would do, the film takes its difficult concepts and handles them in a delicate manner which shall help the audience resonate with and understand them.

Even when he is not on screen, Rogers’ presence is still felt in a variety of ways, most notably scene transitions featuring the cities of New York and Pittsburgh as playsets similar to the eponymous “Neighborhood” featured in Rogers’ show. These transitions not only contribute a sense of childlike wonder akin to Rogers’ to the film, as they also serve as a nice contrast to the dismal appearances of the actual cities as they are shown throughout the film, while also beautifully symbolizing the clashing outlooks of both Rogers and Vogel regarding life and society.

Despite his limited screen time, Hanks’ uncanny portrayal of Mr. Rogers is one to admire, as it perfectly encapsulates his gentle demeanor, while also providing depth to his character by placing an emphasis on his more flawed qualities. By portraying him as a mediator rather than a protagonist, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” shows that an in-depth, powerful story may be derived from more than just the life of a real person, and its deviant take on the biopic genre is one which future films may find success in following after.

Image from Sony Pictures Entertainment via YouTube