Green Book - Movie Review
Green Book
Plot: A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
Director: Peter Farrelly
Certificate: 12A (infrequent strong language, moderate violence, discriminatory behaviour)
Runtime: 130 minutes
Release Date: Wednesday 30th January 2019
Based on a real life friendship, Green Book is another Oscar hopeful setting its sights to dominate the awards ceremony later this month. With nominations for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and the acclaimed Best Picture, as well as receiving rapturous praise from the US, the expectations for Green Book were obscenely high. Not to mention that Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali are two of the best actors working today. Fortunately, Green Book more than lived up to its expectations and in some respects, exceeded them.
To think that the refined and nuanced quality that helps Green Book soar along at such a pleasant pace is thanks to the work of one half of the directors for Dumb & Dumber and There's Something About Mary, is astonishing. Peter Farrelly, known for his outlandish comedy works, strips back his immature sensibilities, shows a lot of professional restraint and allows the two central performances to drive this movie forward. In regards to the treatment of racial discrimination from the perspective of Ali's Dr. Donald Shelly, Farrelly and his screenwriters do a good job even if it does feel like they're only clawing at the surface and afraid of delving deeper into the systemic issues so as to maintain a fairly light and fluffy tone. However, the moments in which the horrors manage to seep through are incredibly powerful aided by yet another exceptional performance by Ali. Portraying a pianist embarking on a musical tour through the deep South of America, Ali is remarkably reserved and contained in a role that, if not handled correctly, could have been full of angry outbursts with each scene fighting to become part of the highlight reel for his eventual nomination. Instead, Ali is polite, conscious of the repugness surrounding him yet still maintaining his dignity. There are moments where this strong and subdued façade begins to unfurl and Ali expresses his raw, unfiltered and tormented emotions beautifully as Shelly struggles to find a place in this divided world.
Plot: A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
Director: Peter Farrelly
Certificate: 12A (infrequent strong language, moderate violence, discriminatory behaviour)
Runtime: 130 minutes
Release Date: Wednesday 30th January 2019
Based on a real life friendship, Green Book is another Oscar hopeful setting its sights to dominate the awards ceremony later this month. With nominations for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and the acclaimed Best Picture, as well as receiving rapturous praise from the US, the expectations for Green Book were obscenely high. Not to mention that Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali are two of the best actors working today. Fortunately, Green Book more than lived up to its expectations and in some respects, exceeded them.
To think that the refined and nuanced quality that helps Green Book soar along at such a pleasant pace is thanks to the work of one half of the directors for Dumb & Dumber and There's Something About Mary, is astonishing. Peter Farrelly, known for his outlandish comedy works, strips back his immature sensibilities, shows a lot of professional restraint and allows the two central performances to drive this movie forward. In regards to the treatment of racial discrimination from the perspective of Ali's Dr. Donald Shelly, Farrelly and his screenwriters do a good job even if it does feel like they're only clawing at the surface and afraid of delving deeper into the systemic issues so as to maintain a fairly light and fluffy tone. However, the moments in which the horrors manage to seep through are incredibly powerful aided by yet another exceptional performance by Ali. Portraying a pianist embarking on a musical tour through the deep South of America, Ali is remarkably reserved and contained in a role that, if not handled correctly, could have been full of angry outbursts with each scene fighting to become part of the highlight reel for his eventual nomination. Instead, Ali is polite, conscious of the repugness surrounding him yet still maintaining his dignity. There are moments where this strong and subdued façade begins to unfurl and Ali expresses his raw, unfiltered and tormented emotions beautifully as Shelly struggles to find a place in this divided world.
Joining Ali on his journey is tough man, Tony Vallelonga or as he's commonly known as, Tony Lip. Tony, played by Mortensen, is hired to drive, protect and look after Dr. Shelly on his tour around the racist swamps of America and as most unlikely partnerships do, clashes of personality and culture occur. Tony is rough around the edges and likes to solve any issues with his fists whereas Dr. Shelly is far more methodical and fights larger, more important issues with the power of words. Mortensen is simply a sensation as Tony providing the right amount of simplicity and heart making him one of the most endearing, if at time frustrating, characters to watch in recent years. The chemistry Mortensen shares with Ali is off-the-charts amazing as they transition seamlessly from complete opposites, to the closest of friends. Their relationship is the driving force of Green Book. With Tony's gruff and brutish manner contrasting against the sophistication and class of Dr. Shelly, both characters are able to learn and change for the better through one another. Green Book is also, quite often, very funny. The subtle little reactions of Mortensen or the stone cold glares from Ali help give Green Book a welcoming edge making it accessible for almost any demographic. There's even a fantastic swinging 60s vibe through the use of music (both score and songs).
Aside from the first act taking a little too long to get going and potentially impactful moments to discuss race being downplayed, Green Book is an absolute crowd pleaser and a joy to watch. The two central performances are worthy of every single ounce of praise they receive and the way in which Farrelly balances the natural humour and sensitivity is very impressive.
Luke's Verdict: 8.5/10
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