SEATTLE — In A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, the first thing you notice is how Tom Hanks perfectly captures the essence of Mister Rogers.
The second thing you notice?
The movie isn't really about him. It's about a journalist named Lloyd (played by Matthew Rhys, best known for his role as a Russian spy on The Americans.)
Based on a true story, the movie follows Lloyd as he interviews Mister Rogers for a magazine profile. They meet on set, at home, and on the move – including a memorable subway ride where the television star is spontaneously serenaded by other passengers.
That actually happened in real life.
Rhys said he’s had a few memorable fan encounters, including one in a sporting goods store.
"This woman came up to me and said, 'The dead drop is in the American football.' And it took me so long, I was going, 'What?'" he said. "And then she was like, 'Aren't you in The Americans?' And I was like, 'Yes, yes I am!' Sorry, thank you!’”
Through their interviews and interactions, Lloyd learns Fred Rogers is not a saint, but a man who worked tirelessly to be kind. That has a profound effect on the journalist, who’s trying to negotiate a relationship with his estranged father, played by Chris Cooper.
The Academy Award-winning actor launched his career in Seattle. He starred in a 1983 stage production of The Ballad of Soapy Smith.
“We opened the brand new Seattle Rep,” he said. "This was a wonderful, wonderful play. Monster cast."
This Is Us star Susan Kelechi Watson plays Lloyd's wife, a lifelong Mister Rogers fan. Watson’s real-life fan moment involved the star of a different NBC ensemble show: “Kelsey Grammar. I freaked out, man. I'm a huge Frasier fan and I saw him and fan-girled.”
All of the performances are stellar, and the familiar, nostalgic imagery can't help but make you feel good.
But there's more to A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood than just that - making it a movie as surprising as it is worth seeing.
"Watching this film, and reminding ourselves of Fred Rogers nature, is something that we need," Cooper said.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is rated PG and opens November 22.
Travel and accommodations provided by Sony Pictures. KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email.