Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Executscan Expected more

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Gpanther67 There have been many great children's programs on television, some from the same era; "Sesame Street", "The Electric Company", "Romper Room", "Captain Kangaroo" were some that I grew up with. One of the most beloved through the decades was the one hosted by Fred Rogers known as "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood". A new documentary looks at his career as one of the most iconic figures on television. "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" might be nostalgic for some, surprising to others but to everyone who sees it the film it should be one of the greatest joys on film in a long time. Rogers was trained to be a Presbyterian minister and about to become ordained when he announced to his family that he was going to produce children's programs on the local Pittsburg television station because he was displeased with the way television addressed children at the time. He felt that cartoons and other children's shows were too silly and just trying to entertain kids instead of reaching out to them and truly speaking to them. His first show Rogers simply produced and left the hosting duties to Josie Carey although he did puppeteering on the show and provided their voices. These puppets like King Friday XIII, Queen Sara Saturday (named after his wife), X the Owl, Henrietta Pussycat and Daniel Stripèd Tiger would become staples on his own show, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" which began on February 19, 1968. Rogers wasn't afraid to tackle tough subjects like death, bigotry, divorce, and war. Although the series was aimed primarily at preschool ages 2 to 5, it was labelled by PBS as "appropriate for all ages" and many older children enjoyed watching Mr. Rogers. His message was simple; be kind to others and believe in yourself. His soft-spoken demeanor was often parodied but there wasn't a more powerful voice on television that spoke to the soul. Although he wasn't educated on the subject (although his show did use child phycologist as consultants), he became one of the leading voices in child development. For 31 seasons Fred Rogers invited us into his home and to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. This film is a celebration of his career. You didn't have to grow up with Mr. Rogers to appreciate this film or to be touched by Rogers message, but if you did you will be overcome with nostalgia and warmth of seeing him again. Its really interesting to see that one of his biggest motivators for doing the show was that he truly hated television, or at least how it spoke to kids. A fact that is repeated often in the film. The film also touches on many of the myths and urban legends about the man. Was he a Navy Seal or Marine? Was his iconic sweater worn to cover tattoos? Was he gay? Even his political beliefs (it was amusing to hear the audience that I watched this with gasp when it is revealed that Rogers was a lifelong Republican, as if that is impossible to believe). It also shares some of his most famous moments like when he appeared before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Communications to get government funding for PBS. In one of the most memorable moments of the documentary, Rogers is visibly nervous when he is called upon to speak. Democratic Senator John O. Pastore, who was chairman of the committee has already admonished several witnesses for reading prepared speeches and not convincing the committee that the funding was needed. Many felt that the proceedings were going horribly for those looking for the funding and that PBS would not get the funds. Pastore tells Rogers "Alright you have the floor" in an ominous tone, as if there was nothing that he could say that would change their mind. Rogers states that he had a 10-minute statement prepared for the committee (something the other witnesses bored the committee with) but will trust that the chairman will read it later as he promised. Senator Pastore sarcastically interrupts Rogers saying "Will it make you happy if you read it?". Rogers then begins to speak spontaneously from his heart talking about his show and what he tries to do with "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood", the message of caring for others. Rogers then recites a song from the show that deals with controlling anger and emotions. Pastore was not familiar with Rogers' work but was obviously drawn to Rogers and moved by his testimony admitting that it had given him goosebumps, and declared, "I think it's wonderful. Looks like you just earned the $20 million." The subsequent congressional appropriation, for 1971, increased PBS funding from $9 million to $22 million. Another wonderful scene is his introduction of Jeff Erlanger to his viewers, a boy who uses a wheelchair due to his disability. Rogers was a champion in the belief of diversity and loving everyone, even those who are different than what we are used to. (Stay during the credits to see his reunion with Erlanger many years later during Rogers induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999) There are many other heartwarming moments and revelations that the documentary shares and I can promise you, you will be moved. Fred Rogers was a special human being that we need today, more than ever. It seems that many of his messages have been forgotten but perhaps if people see this wonderful documentary they will be touched by them & try to be kind to others and more tolerant and his legacy can truly be memorialized.

georgechristophert This film, through it's honest portrayal of a man who unpretentiously and unwaveringly dedicated his entire being to the enhancement of the lives and minds of young children, effortlessly inspires one to rethink their entire life. Fred Rogers' shining example, so beautifully and humbly captured in this documentary, effortlessly leads one to re-think what one can do to make this world a better place, in whatever small measure. And the revelation of his undying faith in the goodness that is present in people convicts the viewers that we have the power to do it, just as we are.Just as TV was taking off and advertisements and other enticements oriented visual programming, this documentary illuminates, without either pretense or condemnation, the simple but earnest conviction of Fred Rogers to use the medium of television for the betterment of society, and, in particular, the betterment of those members of society who were and still are the most vulnerable: young children.His mission is more relevant now than ever before and will continue to be as our world becomes more and more visually oriented. And with one quote, which I will paraphrase, he both calls this orientation into question and summarizes his own mission: "The most important things are those we can not see."The most important, life-changing film I have ever seen.

Eric Stevenson I was always disappointed that there was never a Mr. Rogers Neighborhood movie, you know with him appearing as himself. It's great to know that this is the closest we'll ever get. I honestly feel bad for kids born past 2001 who never watched the show when it was on the air. It was unbelievable that anyone would make up bad things about such a wonderful person. Penn and Teller criticized Mohandas Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and the Dalai Lama. Everyone EXCEPT Mr. Rogers.Some people would say the best role model is Jesus. Who would be the best role model of the past 100 years? I know he didn't get as famous as Albert Einstein or Martin Luther King Jr., but I think most people should say Mr. Rogers. I knew they would bring up the ugly bit about the Westboro Baptist Church's reaction. You do have to mention the negative. I forgot how he taught about such serious real life issues, like divorce.I will be religious forever because he was a truly religious man and anyone who is against an ideology that would create such a wonderful person is hard for me to be friends with. I know I said I wouldn't mention by depression, but I have to now. It's easy to say that this cheered me up as will anything featuring Mr. Rogers. There were even cool things they didn't even mention. He was colorblind, so he was literally racially colorblind! I knew that this would be my favorite movie of the year before even watching it. ****

zkonedog A lot of times, the breadth or reach of a documentary depends on how large of an audience it can appeal to. So many times, documentaries focus on a niche subject with a similarly small viewership base. "Won't You Be My Neighbor" is able to bypass this problem, however, but focusing on a man that seemingly everybody knows: Fred Rogers.For a basic overview, "Neighbor" follows both the life/career of Fred Rogers, as well as setting that in parallel to his iconic "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" show on public television. Rogers' family (including his wife and two sons) are interviewed, as well as those who worked on and starred in the show with him.In a political and social climate where hate and "mean-ness" seem to spew from every nook and cranny, "Neighbor" provides the perfect hour-and-a-half balm for that, as one of the strong suits here is showing just how genuinely "nice" of a man Fred Rogers was (which is what inevitably came out in the show and ultimately made it such a treasure). It was also interesting to learn that Mr. Rogers was an ordained minister, voted Republican, and championed inclusion and equal rights his entire life. Those things don't necessarily track in today's world, so it is nice to see someone who wasn't "one or the other"."Neighbor" is equally fascinating on how Fred's show was so different than anything else on the air (public or otherwise) at that time. He practically saved the entire public television model (testifying before a commission about its worth), and then used it to tackle issues that are difficult for children to deal with, talking to them in a very straightforward yet kind way. He was absolutely fearless in this respect, also using silence and slow-pacing to intentionally counter-act the "pie in the face" and action/adventure Saturday morning kiddie fare he so despised.Overall, this is a documentary that will strike a chord with nearly every one of its viewers. Practically everyone on this Earth knows something about Mr. Rogers, and for so many of those people he spoke directly to them (through the television) on a consistent basis. It's supremely emotional, incredibly informative, and just a refreshing reminder of the simple (yet extraordinary) value of human decency and kindness.