Wow! There's a beautiful film in your neighborhood and you should see it - especially if you're stressed, or frustrated, or unhappy, or angry at someone you're pretending not to love.
As a kid, I was not a Fred Rogers fan. His big heart and caring educational thoughts were sadly wasted on me. I much preferred Rita Moreno screaming "Hey You Guys!" to Fred's diminutive "Hello, Neighbor." And for a few years after I'd grown out of my early TV BFFs (Burt and Ernie), there was a kid show called "Zoom" that completely held my attention. Still, however there were times (it seems impossible to even say this now) when literally nothing else for kids graced the screen (only had one then – in the whole house). So, on occasion, I suffered through Mr. Rogers' long pauses, silent smiles and changing of shoes – because I very much enjoyed the trolley.
To my surprise, this film is not a typical biopic. It doesn't tell the story of Fred Rogers. It uses Fred to tell a beautiful and universal story, a story that Fred did his best to tell. It's a story of self love, self acceptance, and perhaps the hardest lesson of all – forgiveness. If that word intimidates you, then you are exactly the person for whom this film was made. What a shame it would be if you purposely avoided the film simply because talk of forgiveness makes you feel vulnerable.
With this film, Tom Hanks brings to adults the lessons Fred Rogers had offered to children all those years ago. With so much anger in the world, it's a pleasure to see a film with such a good heart.
-- Click here to see Books by Ross Anthony, Author --
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