Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Documentaries don't often find their way to the theatrical spotlight - they have a much safer home on TV and internet streaming services. So when Won't You Be My Neighbor? made the box office top 10 on its first weekend and became the highest-grossing biographical (not nature, concert, or political) documentary of all time, it was clear that the world must be feeling nostalgic for someone as kind and understanding as Fred Rogers.

The film essentially functions as a summary of the broadcasting history of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, from its start as a low-budget public access TV show to its booming success as a low-budget public access TV show.

I was fascinated by all the coverage of this subject because I didn't personally grow up Rogers' show (I was more of a cartoon kid myself). So seeing all of the "dangerous" subject matter for children that he would cover in such a sweet, gentle way was absolutely mind-blowing for me to see for the first time. In the first week of his show he covered the Vietnam war, and went on to teach kids about any subject from divorce to how it's okay to feel sad or angry to death itself, all with a calm smile on his face. I can't help but feel like I missed out on watching something truly wonderful, which makes me all the happier that I watched this documentary.

Director Morgan Neville had previously won an Oscar for 20 Feet from Stardom (which I still haven't seen), and it's pretty safe to say he's a shoe-in for another one this year. That being said, while this is excellent coverage of the show and everyone who worked on it (from the fascinating actors to the hilariously mischievous crew to Rogers' own family), I'm not sure that we get enough of a glimpse into the man himself. Everyone interviewed says that the Rogers on the show is the same Rogers in real life, but I can't help but feel like he could've been explored further as a subject. Of course it's tough when the subject of the documentary is already dead, but I wanted to see more Fred Rogers. What was his relationship with his family like? His relationship with his wife seems great, but his sons seem somewhat distant. They said he would vent some of his anger and sadness through his piano playing, why not talk more about that? Perhaps it's to preserve the mystery and the public image that he kept so well by simply being who he is, and my asking to learn more about his personal life might be over the line. After all, this is purely a personal complaint. Neville clearly had a focused story that he wanted to tell and he accomplished that goal magnificently.

Anyone even moderately familiar with Mr. Rogers, whether it be through his show or through the many parodies of him (some he liked some he very didn't), should absolutely check this doc out. Just be ready for some serious feelings.