#TIFF19: “A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When jaded Journalist Lloyd (Matthew Rhys) begins interviewing Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks), he starts to see the world in a different light.

This heartwarming Film is sure to delight and touch each and every neighbour it encounters. Director Marielle Heller has done it again and made a Film that shows the complexities of the human condition. Screenwriters Noah Harvester and Micah Fitzerman-Blue have written a beautiful script that focuses more on a person suffering immense pain and how Rogers helped him. In doing this, the audience learns lessons about healing as Lloyd does.

Once again Hanks turns in a stellar and heartwarming performance. After seeing him embody Rogers, it is hard to imagine how anyone else could. There is an honest and loving quality Hanks seeps into each character he has played and those are the qualities Rogers had. Because this Film focuses on Lloyd, Rhys carries the entire Film and he does so flawlessly. He is outstanding as the emotionally-suffering Journalist who slowly begins to become open and forgiving. When the two are together there is nothing but joy to witness.

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood screens at TIFF on Sat, Sep 7 at Roy Thompson Hall at 6:30 PM, Sat, Sep 7 at Elgin Theatre at 8 PM, Sun, Sep 8 at Princess of Wales at 3:15 PM, and Sat, Sep 14 at Elgin Theatre at 2:30PM.