Genre: Drama
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
Description: A working-class Italian-American bouncer (Viggo Mortensen) becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist (Mahershala Ali) on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
Review: Tony Lip, also known as Tony Vallenlonga, worked at the Copacabana in New York in the 50s and 60s. When the Copacabana is closed due to construction, Tony gets a job as a driver. This job would change his life.
Viggo Mortenson plays Tony, a ‘bullshitter’ with a big heart. Because he has a wife and two kids, he can’t wait for the Copacabana to be re-opened. So he takes on a job as a driver for Dr. Shirley. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali, is not a medical doctor, but a very gifted concert pianist. And he is an African American man. Tony drives him around the country for his tour, that in 1962 is still pretty racist. Tony still has some prejudice about African American people, but is fascinated by Shirley and really needs the money. Shirley isn’t only a talented pianist, he is also very well-read, intelligent and well-mannered. He is the complete opposite of Tony. And they are both bias. Tony learns how life is for a black man in the south, were racism rules and rich men pay big money to see Shirley play. But also refuse to serve him in restaurants or let him use their dressing rooms or rest room.
The green book in the title, is a book that had all the locations in the south if the US that a black man was allowed.
“Green Book” is directed by Peter Farrelly, one half of the duo that made comedies like “Dumb and Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary”. So that he directed a now Oscar-winning movie, is kind of a surprise. You do feel that this pretty heavy theme, is brought with a lot of humor and it’s very light-hearted. It’s never a heavy movie.
Viggo Mortensen is one of the most versatile actors in the business and I loved him in the role of Tony Lip. And together with Mahershala Ali, he forms a great duo. The two actors are the heart of the film, they carry it. Ali even took home the Oscar for best supporting actor, which is very well-deserved.
Although it’s a pretty light-hearted film, “Green Book” does have depth. But it’s all very safe and this way it’s accessible for all audiences. It’s a pretty straight-forward film and it could use a bit of an edge. It’s not sugar sweet though, but it’s a feel-good film that will please the large audience. And that’s exactly why it won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
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