I am a sucker for a good historical documentary, and Won’t You Be My Neighbor is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. In this documentary, filmmaker Morgan Neville examines the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of the popular PBS children’s TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. So many of us who grew up on PBS, really need to stop and thank Fred Rogers, as they show within the film, that PBS was losing its federal funding under Nixon, which it could very well could have ended. That is, if not for Fred Rogers’ honest and heartfelt testimony before the senate subcommittee, and single handedly saved PBS. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, I loved and adored Mister Rogers, so finally seeing an honest film about this wonderful man.
If you are like me, a person who likes to hunker down in front of a TV screen or monitor, with a two liter of soda, a favorite snack, and consume all that bad food along with a historical documentary, then you will love this film. Now, if you are more of a relaxed filmophile, who just likes to casually watch films about other people, well guess what? Yup…you will still really like this film as well.
It is clear in every minute of this film that Morgan Neville loves Fred Rogers, and I for one deeply appreciate it. Just a wonderful film, that made me sad when it ended. I could have easily sat through another hour or two of the film.
