ReelBob: ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ ★★★★★

By Bob Bloom

Fred Rogers was an extraordinary man.

He loved children and saw that, with positive encouragement, they had the potential to grow up to be good men and women.

Rogers made it his life’s mission to protect and teach youngsters in a gentle, nonthreatening manner, while easing their fears and anxieties about the world around them.

His story is told in the embracing documentary, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

For more than 30 years, Rogers used the platform of his PBS TV show, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood,” to directly communicate with children about various issues — some of them rather weighty.

Rogers’ kind demeanor and soft voice were reassuring to kids. His greatest strength, though, was that he never talked down or condescendingly to youngsters.

He spoke to them as equals, believing that if you always told them the truth, they would respond accordingly.

Morgan Neville’s documentary traces how Rogers became a beloved national institution and how he remained steadfast in his beliefs about how to communicate to and reach children, despite changes in society.

One of the documentary’s finest moment is when Rogers testifies before a congressional committee that wanted to cut PBS’s funding — as it seems Congress always wants to do.

Without theatrics or bombast, Rogers quietly and logically explained why PBS — and his show — were essential not only to children but to adults as well.

The network’s funding was saved.

Neville uses clips from Rogers’ shows and interviews with his family, friends and guests from the show, to demonstrate how Rogers inspired children through compassion and encouraging them to use their imaginations.

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” is a love letter and celebration of an individual’s singular vision about a way to reach children without resorting to a circus-like atmosphere of cartoons, clowns or breakfast cereals.

I advise bringing tissues when viewing this movie. It gets emotional at times, but not in any manipulative manner. That is the strength and charm of Neville’s movie.

Like Rogers himself, the movie is pure because — for most of it — Neville simply shows Rogers at work, focusing on making the world a better place, one child at a time.

In today’s climate in which civility is under attack, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” is a beacon that shows how reaching out and embracing everyone and using kindness as a tool, can help change the world.

I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? 4 stars out of 4 (PG-13), thematic elements, language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAwR54HrVW8