Filmmaker Morgan Neville examines the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of the popular children's TV show 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.'
The kindness and compassion the documentary displays for its subject, and which Fred Rogers in turn extended to generations of children, help make Won't You Be My Neighbor? one of the best of the year.
As Oscar winner Morgan Neville's timely, tear-duct lubricating documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" makes clear, the easily parodied, often underestimated icon of children's television was a total badass.
You don't need to be a fan of the show or even have watched it. Won't You Be My Neighbor? will perfectly captivate and engage viewers, no matter their knowledge on the subject. This is the must-see documentary of the year.
You don't need a strong nostalgic connection to Rogers' show to feel genuinely moved by the man's essential goodness, all the more as Neville contrasts it with today's public discourse.
Neville weaves the narrative around some of Rogers' favored concepts and core beliefs rather than providing a full birth-to-death biography of the man's private life. It's a wise choice because Rogers' words and ideas are stirringly relevant today.
