Odness of real-life character

ination of being an adult an investigative journalist. her words, he’s the person likely to be charmed by the rity of someone like Fred rs. e film is loosely based on Junod’s article “Can You ‘Hero’?” which appeared quire Magazine in Novemf 1998. Junod has said that ding time with the then ar-old changed him. Cynit first, the two formed a dship that would last until rs’ death in 2003. e film introduces Lloyd particularly unstable mo. He’s got a newborn son his wife, Andrea (Susan

Kelechi Watson), and his longestranged father (Chris Cooper) has to come back into his life. It’s under these high-pressure circumstances that his editor (Christine Lahti) assigns him to write a “small piece” about Fred Rogers for the magazine’s “heroes issue.” Lloyd scoffs at what he considers a demeaning assignment. He’s there to be an investigative journalist and the host of a cheesy children’s show is, he thinks, below him. Andrea even asks her husband not to ruin her childhood.

He remains skeptical even upon meeting Fred and goes back to his editor to ask for more time, saying that he “just doesn’t think he’s for real.”

Sure, part of you is probably thinking Lloyd a monster but consider his point of view. Fred uses puppets during his interview and deflects on the more pressing questions, often diverting and asking about his interviewer instead of answering. And yet, his goodness starts to transcend all of that. Heller does a marvelous job illustrating the effect Fred has on those around him. Even the production staff, who he infuriates with his tendency to veer off schedule by spending too long with visitors, falls in line when he starts to work his singular magic in front of the camera.