Green Book
Starring: Viggo Mortenson, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
Directed by: Peter Farrelly
Rated: PG-13
You may be wondering…what does the title of this movie mean? Green Book gets its title from a travel guide that warned African Americans where it was and wasn’t safe to go during segregation. The film follows Tony Lip, an Italian white man who drives Don Shirley, a genius African American pianist, across the country for a concert tour. Tony acts as a driver and bodyguard for Don as he performs in the deep south. Green Book is directed with just the right balance of comedy and drama by Peter Farrelly. Just when the film hits an emotional moment, it’s followed up perfectly by a comedic one. If you would have told me that the same guy who directed Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something about Mary, and (perhaps most shockingly of all) Movie 43 would go on to direct this, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Yet, I just witnessed it and it’s wonderful!
Speaking of wonderful, the chemistry between these two actors is pretty wonderful!
Every second they’re on screen together is just magnetic. Rarely have I seen an on-screen friendship work so well.
Viggo Mortenson is a chameleon. The last film I saw him in was Captain Fantastic. This is the complete opposite of that role in every possible way. As Tony, he is a loud-mouth who can’t control his temper. Mortenson conveys a brutish humor with Tony. He is constantly eating, fighting, or talking non-stop. (Many of his lines are hilarious) Yet, when we see a moment with his wife (played very well by Linda Cardellini), it’s clear that deep down he is a family man. His relationship with Don is the most compelling element of the film. Tony begins the film as a racist, but as he works for Don, the two develop a compelling rapport. It seems they’ll never get along considering their totally opposite personalities (Tony is an Italian bouncer and Don is a black concert pianist.), but eventually they begin to develop an endearing friendship. As their friendship grows, Tony sees the atrocities of racism and turns from his ways. I’ve read some reviews claiming Viggo Mortenson is overplaying the Italian stereotype at times, but it’s worth noting that Tony Lipp’s son wrote the screenplay and had a huge part in making this movie. I can see some major and well-deserved Oscar buzz for Viggo Mortenson.
Mahershala Ali will be getting Oscar buzz as well for his fantastic portrayal of Don Shirley. From the moment he first appears on screen, he commands your attention. You want to know more about the character right away. While Tony is an open book about everything, Don is much more reserved. It takes time to learn about his life and background making him an intriguing figure throughout the film. One of the things I found most unique about the film’s treatment of Don Shirley is the subversion of racial stereotypes. Don is a classically trained pianist who plays for crowds in the south at a time when segregation ran rampant. Tony has many pre-conceived notions about Don, including what he likes to eat, his music choices, and how he grew up, but the film looks to prove that these racial stereotypes are inaccurate.
I was particularly impressed with the screenplay for Green Book. The dialogue is like a verbal tennis match between Don and Tony. Each moment you’re just waiting for them to come up with something witty or thought-provoking to say and every time, they deliver. It was nice how their friendship felt genuine. It’s not just Tony working for Don, the two men help each other out at different points throughout the film. The pacing also moves quite well. You wouldn’t think a 2 and a half hour road trip movie would be that compelling, but this tightly knit screenplay keeps things moving brilliantly.
Green Book is a moving story of an unlikely friendship. Its witty screenplay and Oscar-worthy lead performances are sure to gain awards attention.
My Rating: 9/10