IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:  Tom Hanks embodies Mr. Rogers in this nostalgic look at the iconic television pioneer, and he does it brilliantly. Based on a true story, Matthew Rhys plays Lloyd Vogel, an Esquire magazine journalist sent to interview Mr. Roger for an upcoming article.   The friendship that develops between them is the crux of the film.   While Vogel is trying to dig up dirt on the TV personality, he can't help but fall under the spell of this remarkably kind man.  Chris Cooper, in the role of Jerry Vogel, Lloyd's estranged father, adds still another dimension to this intriguing tale as we (and Mr. Rogers) learn of the reason for the animosity between the father and son.   At times light-hearted, the film still has enough grit to be most satisfying.   And Hanks has never been better.  Truly one of our finest actors.