A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

When I was a child, my grandmother took my sister and I to school. She’d get us out of bed and, in order to really wake us up, put us on her back one by one, giving piggy back rides around the house. While she did this, she’d sing “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” After that, we’d dress, get our backpacks together, then hop into the car, where if we managed to pull out of the drive immediately she’d say, “It’s our luuuucky daaaaaaaay” and if we were behind and stuck in the drive waiting for cars it’d be, “Hells bells!” 

I tell you all this because the film above makes a simple request: it asks its characters, and implicitly its viewers, to take a minute to think of those who loved them and helped them get to where they’re at. And then the film does something absolutely remarkable: it waits for a genuine minute and lets us think. Rogers (Tom Hanks) looked directly into my eyes and all I could think of was my grandma and how much I loved and still love and will always love her.

The film deals honestly with the anger and frustration that we all feel inside, showing us how we can still grow, even and especially when we’re past the age where trusted adults would help us sort out the good from the bad. The moment where Lloyd tells his wife that she and their baby is all he wants and that he’s sorry was so heartfelt and real that I can’t help but think that Mr. Rogers’ legacy could never be in doubt. We need our heroes in life: Mr. Rogers is one such person, showing us the way to becoming more loving and inquisitive human beings.

I want to let go of the frustrations and grudges I’ve held on to; perhaps having watched this film and the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor, I can gain the courage to take the small steps towards the resolutions I need to move forward.