WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? – Rated PG-13 – 1 hr .34 mins.

“A MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN ~ Fred Rogers view of Kindness and Love is one that our society needs today, more than ever!!!   

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? – Rated PG-13 – 1 hr. 34 mins.

Director:  Morgan Neville

Starring:  Fred Rogers, Joann Rogers, Betty Aberlin, Yo-Yo Ma, David Newell, Joe Negri, Francois Scarborough Clemmons, and Nicholas Ma 

This biographical tale takes you through the life and times of one of early children and public television’s pioneers, Mr. Fred Rogers.  Through archival footage, his own words, and the worlds of not only his beloved puppets, but his co-harts in self-created Neighborhood ~ and his own family too ~ you again return to his “Land of Make Believe” to truly understand his mission for children, and his legacy…

I give WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN:  This rating comes as surprising to me, as it might come to you…as Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood was definitely NOT one of my favorite television shows growing up.  I would watch it periodically, in hopes that he would choose my favorite purple sweater from the closet, but all in all, the puppets, especially Lady Elaine, kind of freaked me out!  Maybe it was because I was in love with the Muppets of the time on “Sesame Street”, maybe it was because I so enjoyed learning things on “The Electric Company”…I’m not really sure what all factored in in my decision making to not watch this program every day during my formative childhood years.  Fact is, after viewing this biographical masterpiece, I found that my short-sidedness in viewing selections as a child, did not allow me to fully grasp Fred Rogers genius first hand.  And the fact that he was a visionary in how to deal with real-life issues every day, and on a child’s terms, makes this man, and his abilities, absolutely extraordinary.  Another reason why I think every man, woman and child should see this film, is because Rogers views on kindness, passion and love for his fellow man are exactly what our society as a whole, needs right now…as these important attributes of a compassionate society are thoroughly shown throughout every frame of this film.  You also get a sense of wonder throughout too, as you watch this extremely gentle soul ~ even when he is no longer on air full time ~ head back to the studio to help “his children” in times of crisis, like when the Space Shuttle Challenger vanished before their eyes, or when the terror of 911 rocked us all to the core.  Yes, Mr. Rogers was always there, helping our children in the only way he knew how, and WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? allows for each of us to experience personally his humility, and graciousness, every step of the way…

Kathy Kaiser