Seen at...
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
- Director: Morgan Neville
- Producer: Caryn Capotosto; Nicholas Ma; Morgan Neville
CGiii Comment
Knowing absolutely nothing about Fred Rogers [that is, practically everyone outside of the USA], spending 2 hours in his company may seem like a hard ask...don't let it be.
What a surprise...Fred Rogers has a story to tell and this films tells it well...with all the highs and all the lows, the successes and the failures. So, sit back, relax...and, enjoy [to a point] and recoil at the insinuations...by the overly 'righteous' - about a genuinely decent and caring man.
He was a religious man. He did not discriminate...on any platform. He adored children. He seemed to understand children like no other [patronising] children's presenter then, now...or, whenever! And, he delighted and enlightened many a young life...
Won't You Be My Neighbor? is - and, shouldn't be - a sad film. A man's life's work has been, by some - for want of a better word - mutilated...by mere unfounded, ungrounded accusation. Morgan Neville has rectified the situation...
This is a fitting tribute to the man who, not only entertained...but, educated millions of children...most welcome...but, long overdue.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
For over 30 years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer, was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life's weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn't been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn't been since.
In an incredibly touching segment, co-star Francois Clemmons talks about coming out of the closet to Fred Rogers. The film also delves into the rumors about Rogers' own sexuality.
Cast & Characters
Betty Aberlin as herself;
Joanne Rogers as herself