"Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Review - Into The Land Of Making Docs.

I knew it was going to be good. After all, it’s about Fred Rogers, but “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” ended up being one of my favorite documentaries ever made.

This film takes a phenomenal look into the mind and actions of one of the most beloved human beings in history. Through it’s behind the scenes look at the show, it’s back stories on certain side characters, historical archive footage, and some surprisingly gorgeous animation, you get to see every side of the man known as Mr. Rogers. And surprisingly, there’s more behind the man that any of us know of. You of course get to see how he was lovable and funny he was, but you also get to witness how determined and how serious he was to make sure children of all ages get the best kids’ TV possible. It’s hard to not overstate his importance to both children’s programing and children around the world. The way Fred Rogers acted both on and off the show, and the insight in how he wanted to stretch the boundaries on what he could teach children, shows how much he wanted to change the world through love and kindness. That’s what made him stand out above all the silly kids shows during his run on PBS.

Many documentaries accomplish what WYBMN does, but the structure of the film brings out a glowing heart-warning message at the end, which not a lot of documentaries can do while also balancing the presentation of something important, both in direction and the physical subject or place itself. And that message is anyone can be Mr. Rogers. People say that’s impossible, but really it’s not, and that’s what hit it home for me. The ending of this film will explain better in what I’m talking about (and believe me, that ending made me teary eyed).

There’s no such thing as a perfect person, but my goodness he’s the closest to a perfect person that’ll ever exist on this planet. There were only two shows I remember watching as a baby; Sesame Street, and Mr. Rogers. Because anytime he would open that door, get his sweater and shoes on, and say “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…” I was instantly glued to my screen. I could never take my eyes off his calm and bright charm. As I rehearse now every week in my acappella group, I look at my director now with her two beautiful baby girls, and it breaks my heart to know that those two bundles of joy and many other children will never get to experience the wonder that man brought to television. But hopefully with a little bit of paying it forward from the older generations before them, that would make Fred Rogers extremely proud.

Anyways, what a phenomenal documentary. Go see it for the lack of love in your heart.

Two Nebs Up!