Green Book, winner of Best Picture at the 2019 Oscars, is the story of an unlikely pair on tour in the deep South of the United States in 1962. Tony "Tony Lip" Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) was a nightclub bouncer from the Bronx. Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) was an African-American classical pianist originally from Pensacola, Florida.
Shirley, leaving the comfort of his deluxe suite above Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, was to embark on a tour with his Trio in the deep South. The nightclub where Vallelonga worked as a bouncer was closing for renovations. Vallelonga is tough, simple, loving, and street-smart though not book-smart, and he is extremely good at what he does. Shirley is gentle, refined, educated, and acutely aware of the dangers his chosen tour path presents to he and his band members. He is also exceptional at what he does. After reluctance and negotiations, Vallelonga agrees to drive and look after Shirley on his tour of the South.
Before I go too much further into this review of Green Book, I feel compelled to remind you of my rating scale and what the stars mean. I rate the movies I watch on three factors: the accuracy of the preview that lead you to watch the movie, the movie in and of itself, and (most importantly) the likelihood that I will watch the movie again and own the movie in my personal collection. With that in mind, please continue reading my review.
The phrase Green Book refers to The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide used by African Americans for safe travels through the deep south in the 1960s. It had a list of roads, hotels and restaurants that were friendly and safe for African Americans in an otherwise hostile and unwelcoming part of the country. Though Green Book is based on a true story, it felt very much like a John Hughes movie from the 80s, namely Planes, Trains and Automobiles. While Shirley and Vallelonga fought against each other along the way, and endured violence and racist hatred, there were plenty of endearing and humorous moments as well.
Early in the film, Vallelonga stops at a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kentucky. In the car, he offers Shirley a piece of the fried chicken, which he disgustingly refuses. Confused, Vallelonga comments that "you people love fried chicken". Unmoved, Shirley responds, "You have a very narrow view of who I am." Vallelonga takes is as a compliment to his sharp observational skills. Moments later, Shirley has acquiesced and consumes the greasy delicious chicken.
The acting performances by Ali and Mortensen were definitely Oscar-worthy. They were honest and believable. We got to see how both of their particular views matured and evolved by the others' influence throughout the course of the tour. Shirley never gives up on refining and educating Vallelonga, while Tony continues to chip away at the overly prim and proper shield put up by Dr. Shirley. At one point on the road, Vallelonga is penning a note to his wife. Shirley reads the first line and puts it down critiquing it as pathetic. He then takes on the role of Cyrano de Bergerac, giving him the eloquent poetic words that bring his wife to tears.
Mortensen was nominated for his leading role as "Tony Lip". Ali won his second Oscar for his role as Dr. Shirley, his first win was in 2017 for his performance in Moonlight. Green Book also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. I commented in my preview that while the movie looked touching, gut-wrenching and smartly humorous, it wasn't a preview that I saw and immediately though of as an Oscar-contender. Based on it's Oscar wins and recommendations from family and peers, I raised my expectations and gave Green Book an anticipatory 4 Star Prediction. For me, I enjoyed it, though I thought it was slow at times. I thought what Dr. Shirley endured was sad and embarrassing. I thought it was humorous, almost too humorous at times that overshadowed just how serious the topic of racial prejudice was trying to be covered. Again, it felt like if John Hughes made a movie today: it knocks you down with a healthy dose of reality, but picks you right back up with humor. It draws you in with believable and well-acted characters who develop through the movie and have great relationships, and then ties it up with a pretty bow with a heart-warming feel-good ending.
While it was a good story, based on real events, and Mortensen and Ali gave fantastic performances well worthy of their nomination and win, I don't quite agree with Green Book winning Best Picture of the Year. For me, seeing it was enjoyable, but once was enough. I probably wouldn't stop on it flipping through the channels, I wouldn't rent it, and I won't be owning it. With that in mind, I'm lowing my rating to 3.0 Stars. I wasn't exactly disappointed, just felt it didn't live up to the hype. So, what movie will be on my mind next? We shall see.
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