Green Book

This is a fantastic tail.

This movie is a gem that I believe is often overlooked. While covering the difficult subject matter, there are also light-hearted and altogether humorous moments to offer balance to the film. Mahershala Ali captivates and shines in this role as Dr. Don Shirley. Truly the real star of this film who offers a complex character full of humor, grace and style. Viggo Mortenson holds his own as Tony Lip, where he finds newfound comradery with Don Shirley, both coming from different backgrounds, culturally, educationally, and monetarily. Not to mention that this movie is during the time period where Martin Luther King Jr. and black men are fighting for equal rights throughout the country. Tony Lip in the beginning remained in ignorance or racial stereotypes only to be faced with it head-on in the deep South. Despite the many boundaries, a friendship of contrast was formed and they learned from one another and with that came appreciation. I read some reviews that were harsh accusing this film of being a White Savior Narrative. And while, Tony had to help bail Don Shirley out on a couple of occasions, he was hired to be a chauffeur and body guard, given that it is absolutely true that Nat King Cole was beaten by an all white audience in Birningham, AL in 1956. Don Shirley had to prepare accordingly. However, Don Shriley, also helped Tony Lip out in terms of writing letters to his wife, getting them both out of prison and being calm, while not resorting to violence when situations presented themselves. He also helped Tony from making some serious mistakes that could of led to some bad outcomes so they equally helped one another. On balance, they helped each other, which is what friends do. White Savior or Black Savior...they both stepped in that role. If you want to watch a movie that explores the attitudes of the 1960s South, Jim Crow Era but at the same time leaves you light-hearted and gives you a measure of hope, I suggest you try this one. For the time you watch it, you will think that anything is indeed possible.

Quick Story Recap: Tony, played by Viggo Mortensen, is a simple man from the Bronx. He works as a grunt and bouncer at the Copacabana nightclub and has a reputation for being able to handle any trouble. The club closes for renovation and Tony is looking for money anywhere he can find it, including food eating contests. Dr. Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali, is a concert pianist who is planning a tour to the deep racist south and needs to find a driver and a body guard of sorts, he hires Tony. The film follows their trip from beginning to finish. Acting wise, I loved every second of both main actors. Viggos Tony was a lovable simple goon who becomes more aware of the world as he experiences it with Dr. Shirley. Every action, facial expression, and his accent seemed spot on every second he got on screen. He wasnt just a committed character which most actors get lauded for - He was a committed character who was real, believable, and lovable. Likewise, Mahershalas Dr. Don Shirley was amazing too. The film is enhanced by their personality push and pull. Mahershaia was able to flesh out his character and use his time on screen both with and without Viggo to convey on powerful moments - as he so often does in his films. A moment that really sticks out as amazing to me was the dialogue where they discuss blackness, and it gets real. They delivered it so well, the truth hits both Tony and the audience and it is magical how you feel it with him. Well done acting team, script team, directors, and editors for how it feels and looks. Overall film wise, I loved it. I watched because it was a nominee. I knew nothing of this film or the story it was based upon coming in so it took a short second to get acclimated to the story and where it was going. But it does have some great moments and the dialogue (and film as well) moves from funny to deep and back again in a perfect way to not go too deep in either direction even as the undertone for the very difficult scenarios they go through together are very serious and upsetting -Jim Crow south. The film kind of makes me think of a reverse Driving Miss Daisy. As I mentioned earlier, I loved Tony and Dr. Shirley. I was glad Tony has a reformation of his own. It made the movie have a great ending. I think I might add this to the home collection.

Worth it

Had to order it 3 times. They kept sending a DVD when it was supposed to be a blu ray. Once sent the right thing , fantastic film.

This movie is quite the history lesson, something good to learn about how the South treated people of color very differently, before our current Southern states succeed in “white washing” black history!

Well made movie based on facts without having to shoot and blow people up. No need for idiotic super heroes. Real human heroes that did human things. Glad I saw it.

I didn’t like the rough language. But it was a good story.

GREAT SCRIPT WRITING!!! When a movie can make a person laugh and cry it deserves an “Academy Award!” And this movie won an AA! But, Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali should have won “Best Actor” academy awards! Bad on Hollywood’s part. Viggo played an excellent character part as an uneducated Italian-American and Mahershala played a excellent Virtuoso Pianist. I’m an author, singer, songwriter and future scriptwriter and, this movie touched my heart! It was funny from the start to the finish and in between made me cry because of racism and real life situations/circumstances. If you want to get out of the Covid-19 pandemic blues and LAUGH your guts out because, laughing is healing, WATCH THIS MOVIE!!! I bought this movie 7/6/2021 and have watched it 20 times now and gonna watch it the rest of the year. Because I personally NEED to LAUGH. This pandemic has been murderous to say the least! So everyone should rent or buy this great movie and watch it. It makes me laugh more than it makes me cry. This movie should have won 5 Academy Awards! Shame on you Hollywood. But, thank you for a great movie. I want to thank Nick Vallelonga for exposing his families private life as well as the script writer who should have won an Academy Award for best script/screenwriter and the director. I give this movie a 10 Star Rating!!!!!!!!!! RB, Santa Cruz, CA

Everyone needs to take a step back and bring life, children, women, animals to safety.