'A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood' Premiers Friday

(PITTSBURGH) Newsradio 1020 KDKA -  The long-anticipated "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" officially hits Theaters Friday

Tom Junod, the journalist who is based on the character portrayed by Matthew Rhys in the film, thinks Tom Hanks fit the role of Fred Rogers perfectly.

“The way that he spoke to the audience, I felt that he was speaking to me - and that's always what Fred had. He had that amazing talent, he was always speaking to you,” Junod said during an interview with KDKA Radio on Thursday morning.

“Tom pulls that off in this movie.”

The movie is based on Junod’s relationship with Rogers - after he was assigned to profile him back in the late 90’s.

“The thing that I love about this movie is that it doesn't just show Fred, and it doesn't just capture Fred; it allows the audience to experience Fred,” Junod adds.