"I Like You Just The Way You Are" - Won't You Be My Neighbor Review

             

   I used to think we all could use a neighbor like Mr. Rogers these days.

I thought we all needed his gentle soul, his big heart, and his simple message of kindness.

Whenever I read the News, or merely look at Twitter for a few seconds, it feels like the world is becoming more cruel, especially America. Whenever I hear something in the news that outrages me, upsets me, or even makes me feel hopeless, I would keep thinking of Mr. Rogers, and what he would say or do.

I just kept thinking, “We need Mr. Rogers”.

That’s what I thought before seeing Won’t You Be My Neighbor, the new documentary directed by Morgan Neville about the life and career of Mr. Rogers, and the behind the scenes stories and cultural impact of his show Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. On the surface, the film seems like a typical fluff piece about a famous person. But it is more than that. It is the story of a man who wanted nothing more than to help children and make the world a better place.

Fred Rogers received a Master of Divinity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1963. He originally wanted to pursue a career as a pastor. This changed when he first discovered an invention called Television, a device that was in millions of households across the nation. Fred Rogers believed television could potentially have a huge impact on the culture, particularly in voung people. He believed it was such a waste for the majority of TV shows be just people throwing pies at each other. Mr. Rogers took it upon himself to create, write, star in, and even compose music for his own television show that would educate children. And thus, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was born.

On the surface, the show seemed like your typical preschool children’s show. It seemed like it was just some guy in front of a camera singing silly songs and playing with puppets. But the show was deeper than that. Much deeper. The show taught children about heavy issues relating to divorce, sickness, death, and even national tragedies. The show taught children how to cope with difficult moments. It also taught them that they are special, they are important, and deserving of love.

Before seeing the documentary, I thought we all needed Mr. Rogers. I don’t think that anymore.

            I realize now we don’t need Mr. Rogers. Because WE can all be like him if we choose.

            Won’t You Be My Neighbor made me realize we all have the potential to make a difference in peoples’ lives. We can all show kindness. And we are all fine just the way we are.

            We don’t have to rely on someone to make the world a better place. Mr. Rogers certainly did. He took it upon himself to make it happen. As can we.

            Won’t You Be My Neighbor, just like Mr. Rogers himself, shows us all how important it is to be a good neighbor.