Green Book Is A Heartwarming And Well-Acted Story About Friendship And Acceptance

     

       Whereas all films are made with the sole intention of entertaining audiences along with churning out a profit, there are a selective amount of films that aim to do both along with delivering an important message which carries relevance in today's society. In an era where studios are becoming less risky with greenlighting projects that make the audience think and reflect on society as well as choosing to play it safe with numerous superhero and franchise-driven films, it's especially admirable to see a film like Green Book find its way to the big screen and achieving the highest standard a film can reach in terms of critical acclaim with it winning the Oscar for Best Picture. While the film has received some flak since then with some saying it was good but not Best Picture worthy (BlacKkKlansman would've been a much more fitting choice for Best Picture), along with it getting comparisons to Driving Miss Daisy in terms of it's story structure with the main difference being the characters are both male, Green Book remains an impressively made and moving drama that's both heartwarming and powerful in telling it's story about two people with virtually nothing in common forming a unique type of friendship on a road trip that puts both their beliefs as well as their friendship to the test.

       Based on a true story, Green Book centers around a working class Italian-American bouncer (Played by Viggo Mortensen), who becomes the driver of a prominent African-American classically trained pianist (Played by Mahershala Ali) while both tour through musical venues that lead to both men encountering racism in the 1960's southern states. Green Book may not have the most original storyline as it's type of formula has already been done before, but its one that has it's heart in the right place and aims to make it's audience feel something for the characters upon walking out of the theater after the credits roll. The heart of the film lies within the relationship between the two main characters with both Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali giving terrific performances with strong chemistry, that makes their characters evolution from strangers to friends by the end of the film both believable and effective. The film carries with it themes that not only properly convey the atmosphere of the South during the 1960's, but also share strong relevance with today's world. The film is about two people with different backgrounds and virtually nothing in common being put together on a road trip, which opens up both of their eyes to a portion of the United States that was less tolerant at the time outside of the beautiful scenery the two got to experience during their trip. Green Book is a story that's well-paced and beautifully told with a realistic depiction of racism occurring in the 1960's South, as well as themes incorporated into its story that today's audiences can find relatable such as friendship, loneliness, not being able to fit in due to being different (Ali's character is both African-American and homosexual, both were looked down upon heavily during the stories era), respect, dignity, and courage. What could've easily been a brutal and disturbing reflection of the stories time period ends up being one that's handled with a large dose of sentimentality and compassion for the characters. The soul of the film lies within the growth of the two main characters as their prejudices and pre-notions towards each other lessens and their friendship deepens. Green Book is a story about how barriers are broken and unities are formed in the most unusual circumstances with the most unlikely people.

      Outside of the films strong writing and directing, it's the performances of the main actors that make the film as moving as it turns out to be. Both Mortensen and Ali bring huge doses of humanity to their roles, while showing both passion and dedication to the story. Viggo Mortensen does very well playing Italian bouncer Tony Lip with Mortensen making his characters transformation throughout the course of the film to be both a convincing and pivotal part of the story. Watching his character observe his counterpart, particularly the moments where he maintains grace when being discriminated against, as well as Tony showing clear frustration and anger at such acts are among some of the films most powerful and memorable moments. Out of the two main actors, Mahershala Ali gives the strongest performances of the two as world-class African American pianist Dr. Don Shirley. Ali conveys the right emotions for the character with him being portrayed as being demanding and confident, yet someone whose also lonely and alienated from society deep down. Some of the most powerful moments in the film are when his character experiences mistreatment first hand, which brings his character back to reality given how he comes across as being rockstar-like with his concert tour through the deep South. His characters struggle with being alienated from everyone, is evident in the scene where he argues with Tony about how he's not black enough to fit in with the rest of the African American community as his character is wealthy, nor white enough to fit in with the rest of society, whose shown to have his character stay in closets at concert gigs or use outdoor bathrooms that are segregated. It's the moments where his character loses his shield behind being a wealthy and well-executed musician to being treated like every other person of color with Tony witnessing those moments of injustice, that make the core of the story one that's powerful and hard-hitting in the most subtle ways. Ali plays his part with a sense of both charm and calmness that allows his presence in the film to add weight to the story. As far as the supporting cast goes, Linda Cardellini shines in a minimal yet effective role as Tony's wife Dolores, with her character appearing to be supportive of Tony's business venture with Don. Sebastian Maniscalco also doing a good job with the role he has as Dolores brother Johnny Venere. Whereas the latter two actors have lesser parts in the story compared to Mortensen and Ali, they still manage to make the most with the roles they have while adding something to the story their in. The main focus of the film is placed on the characters of Tony and Don with their journey shown to be one that's transformative for both men as well as eye-opening and moving. The film was always going to rely on the strong dynamic and chemistry of it's main actors to make it work with both actors proving to be no exception while giving Oscar caliber performances.

      Besides the films strong acting performances, it's the handling of the films story with it's subtle yet steady direction, that makes it a memorable piece. Director Peter Farrelly approaches the story as being one that's transformative not just for both the main characters, but potentially for the audience watching it as well. He takes the time with the films steady pace to develop the friendship between both Tony and Don, with Tony's character being the eyes of the audience essentially with the witnessing of the mistreatment and disrespect that Don's character received the further South they went. Farrelly gives the film a feel good yet tender atmosphere, that says even though the experience that the main characters as well as the audience endure on their trip is a hard one, there is something special and significant that's happening between the main characters as walls are being torn down and bonds are growing stronger. The films beautiful cinematography with it's breathtaking scenery of fields and landscapes, convey the sense that the main characters journey is both a transformative and personal one. The costume and set designs all go hand in hand in regards to accurately portraying the time period that the story takes place with a low-key yet powerful score by Kris Bowers, that's solid and properly utilized at the right moments in the film though never overshadows the performances of the main actors. In terms of the films directing, Peter Farrelly does well with setting up the atmosphere of the film that gives it a vibe that's uplifting and heartwarming while letting Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali command the screen with their performances.

      The films screenplay by Nick Ballerina, Brian Hayes Currie, and Peter Farrelly does a solid job of making the story feel like a natural progression in terms of the growth of the characters. The heart of the story is about relationships with the writers showing how the one between the main actors started out as being non-existent, then evolves into something that feels genuine and moving with both men learning from each other. The story drives home the notion to the audience that if more people were willing to set aside prejudgements with others and get to know them, then the world would be a much different place. The writers make the story not just about the friendship between Tony and Don, but about the landscape of American society within the deep South in the 1960's. What the script does well that differentiates it from being generic and bland, is giving audiences a deep character examination of both main characters and how they respond to the social climate of the time and vice versa. The film shows that there are different forms of discrimination besides it being just black and white with Don's character getting chastised for being homosexual when caught with another person of the same gender, or treated differently from other blacks because of his wealth with the type of outfits he wears. The writers take the character of Tony and add a deeper layer to him with his character being not just the typical tough guy whose a bouncer, but someone who carries a great heart underneath and isn't sure how to fully express himself to others. One of the films true standout moments is when the character of Don teaches Tony how to improve his writing in his letters to his wife. The audience sees the growth in Tony's character through Don with him becoming more expressive and understanding of others while Tony shows Don how to be more social and less demanding of others. He also gives him a reality check on being sheltered from the rest of society in scenes where he critiques Don on his lack of knowledge of musicians from his own culture. It's moments such as these that brings power to the story with the film carrying an overall message, that says it takes courage to change people's hearts as explained by one character to Tony in the film upon witnessing Don's maintaining of his dignity upon being discriminated against. The film also shows that through the relationship between Mortensen and Ali's characters, friendships can emerge from the most unexpected circumstances if people are willing to let go of their prejudices. In a time where America is becoming more socially divided as well as progress in race relations slowly going backwards, the films themes and message are as relevant now as they are in the time period of the story.

      While it is clear that Green Book might not have been everyone's choice for Best Picture (It's become the most divisive Best Picture winner since 2005's Crash with the Academy being accused of playing it safe with awarding this Best Pic over films like BlacKkKlansman), there's no doubting that the story of Green Book is one that's entertaining, well-told, and has an empowering message behind it regarding friendship. Some have accused the film of possessing the convenient white savior narrative, that usually is inserted into stories like this (Mississippi Burning, 42, Race, and Hidden Figures are prime examples of having this narrative which involves the main African-American character receiving assistance or support from a powerful Caucasian figure, who essentially ends up being the reason they become as successful as they get in their professions or society), but in all honesty the film is less about trying to appease one single demographic and more about showing how people with differences can come together and share a friendship or bond, that can change both persons outlooks on life. The story is richly told with a sincerity to it that's rare in movies nowadays. Green Book may bear similarities to Driving Miss Daisy, but 
it's both a powerful and effecting drama that has it's heart in the right place while contributing to the conversation regarding race in America. The film deserves commending not just for it's strong performances and expertly handled directing, but for it's noble intentions to touch the hearts of it's audience. Audiences watching it for the first time will be hard pressed not to feel some kind of emotion with the films heartwarming final sequence involving Christmas dinner with Tony's family and Don. While such a moment may feel cliched and manipulative to some audiences, it gives both the characters and the audience the emotional payoff and closure to the story that they deserve. As Green Book suggests, the key to overcoming racism and loneliness is opening up to others who are different and understand their situations as barriers can be broken and new friendships formed.

Final Verdict: For those looking for a moving and feel good story about relationships and acceptance, Green Book is the film to watch.