Reviews: Tom Hanks charming as Mister Rogers in 'Neighborhood'

The much-anticipated “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks as the host of “Mister Rogers Neighborhood,” premiered Saturday night at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Much of the film, which dramatizes the true story of a magazine journalist (Matthew Rhys, playing a fictionalized version of writer Tom Junod) and his visit to Pittsburgh to profile Fred Rogers for Esquire magazine, was filmed in Western Pennsylvania.

Hanks’ performance is only a part of the drama, but his gentle, whole-body transformation into Rogers drew thunderous applause from festival audiences and rave reviews from critics.

“Hanks isn’t just good — he’s transporting,” wrote Variety.

Those who made it into the screening have been posting rave reviews.

‘A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood’: This Is No Safe Mister Rogers Biopic & Tom Hanks Is Transformative [TIFF Review] https://t.co/RWnAxgOTSu pic.twitter.com/fZMyTAcizG

— The Playlist ? (@ThePlaylist) September 8, 2019

What I love about the film is it’s not a film about Mister Rogers. The film serves as a new episode of his show and explores incredibly interesting layers of humanity - specifically forgiviness and how our flaws connect us. It teaches us to understand & love each other. Loved it.

— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) September 8, 2019

“He really had some beautiful, radical ideas about childhood: the idea that everybody deserves love just as they are, but also that we need to come up with ways to allow children to feel their feelings and that feelings matter and are valid.” https://t.co/3yrnViPxDo

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 8, 2019

"Hanks is winning in the role," writes V.F. critic @melvillmatic. "A fount of joy and patience, with eyes that reel you in and attest to things left unsaid." https://t.co/Hyh0wrcP8E

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) September 9, 2019

Just out of #ABeautifulDayMovie — it’s every bit as charming and life-affirming as you think/hope. But just to be clear: this is a movie about an award-winning magazine journalist, NOT Mister Rogers. #TIFF

— Mara Reinstein (@MaraReinstein) September 8, 2019

‘A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood’ Is Less About Mister Rogers And More About You – UPROXX -
Fred Rogers is still magic.
Even 16 years after his death, his presence is still with us. This comforting voice who tells us it’s okay to feel the way we do when bad things happen...

— elementarty (@elementartyy) September 9, 2019

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood review – Tom Hanks charms as Mister Rogers https://t.co/xt8BBi6zNy

— Melkeior The Magi (@melkeior) September 9, 2019

The film opens in theaters Nov. 22.