As the movie
starts, what first grips you is Viggo Mortensen’s character. Mortensen appears
larger than life and now sports an Italian accent. If, like me, you watched the
movie for what it is before realizing it’s a biographical story of two friends,
Tony Lip and Don Shirley, you’ll be captivated by the dynamic between the two
characters. Viggo’s portrayal of an Italian-American is one of his best
performances.
The story of
this comedy-drama keeps you engaged throughout—no dull scenes or slow moments.
It’s a finely crafted movie that holds your attention. At over two hours long,
you won’t even notice the time passing. The story has a feel-good, happy
ending, so yes, it’s a predictable ride, but one worth taking.
The movie draws
inspiration from the true story of a tour through the Deep South in America
during the early 1960s. This tour involved African-American classical and jazz
pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), who traveled with his band (all white).
To ensure his safety, Italian-American club bouncer Tony Vallelonga (Viggo
Mortensen) was hired as his driver and bodyguard.
I wasn’t around in the 1960s, so I can only imagine how deep-rooted racism was at the time. Movies like this make me grateful for the progress made in securing the freedoms we enjoy today. Shirley’s tour was risky, and he needed someone who could drive and protect him. The title, Green Book, refers to a guidebook from the era that listed safe stops—hotels, diners, and restaurants—where Black travelers could go without fear of harassment.
The movie
portrays the growing relationship between Tony and Shirley, as well as the
challenges Shirley faced as a Black man touring the Deep South. It highlights
situations many of us would prefer never to experience.
Green Book was
both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $320 million on a $23
million budget. Director Peter Farrelly, known for comedies like Dumb and
Dumber (1994), There’s Something About Mary (1998), Osmosis
Jones (2001), and Dumb
and Dumber To (2014), successfully tackled a more nuanced genre with
this film.
Mahershala Ali’s
performance earned him Best Supporting Actor awards at the Academy Awards,
BAFTA, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and Golden Globes.
Let’s be
honest—over the past decade, the Oscars haven’t always been the go-to for
discovering great movies. When I heard about Green Book winning Best Picture
and Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, I still
wasn’t convinced to watch it. It was only last week, during the COVID-19
lockdown, when a good friend recommended it, that I finally watched it. What a
privilege! It’s one of the most captivating and funny movies I’ve seen in a
long time.
It’s a great
film to add to your lockdown watchlist.
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