Jack and I have heard nothing but good things about this documentary about Fred Rogers, the children's PBS-TV host, and we agree wholeheartedly. Though neither of us watched a lot of the show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, we have the greatest respect for its messages and longevity.
Oscar winning director Morgan Neville (for Twenty Feet from Stardom) has once again given us entertainment and creativity, this time spiced with philosophy and poignancy. I was moved to tears several times, not only from sad historical events but also from the tenderness of Mister Rogers' ways with children. Rogers was an accomplished pianist and, in one segment, discusses the musical term modulation as a metaphor for child development, which fits right in with Neville's focus on music in most of his previous work.
Naturally we have songs sung by Rogers and by "Officer Clemmons," played by opera singer François Scarborough Clemmons, the first African-American with a recurring role on a children's televisions series. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma appears in the movie and his son Nicholas is one of the nineteen producers. Additional music is by cellist/guitarist/symphony player Jonathan Kirkscey (new to me) and the entire soundtrack is available at the usual outlets, including spotify. I'm listening to it as I type.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics at 99% and its audiences at 98 should tell you to get yourself to a local theatre and see this now. It's rated PG-13 for some mildly salty language from one interviewee and a few parodies of the original show.
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