Green Book (2018)

The title of this movie comes from a road guide for Blacks to travel during the 1960s. And travel this movie does. Starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, and directed by none other than Peter Farrelly, “Green Book” is a powerful tale about the lessons of manners, and it can effect people of different skin color. While the one of the film can be a little derailing in certain regards, and the movie does play more for fiction than history, the experience is still a good one. “Green Book” is a rather interesting and compelling look at how friendship and manners can come from the most unlikely of places.

The story is set in the year 1962, where Tony Lip (Mortensen) is a regular guy living in The Bronx. One day, Tony gets an offer that feels to crazy to pass up. Tony is given the opportunity to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Ali), a rather popular jazz pianist, on a tour in the deep south of the United States. Where racial tension is at its highest. Now, both Tony and Don must get along with each other, otherwise tensions will rise.

What makes “Green Book” stand out is with the setting and its main leads.

Both Mortensen and Ali have perfect chemistry whenever they are together. Mortensen plays the tough guy from New York, who thinks a loud mouth will solve pretty much everything. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Ali plays a seemingly cool and quiet persona, who does have a way with words, in a more sophisticated mannerism. Whenever these two converse and clash with each other, it feels like the audience is truly invested in what is happening on screen, and what sort of outcome will be unveiled.

It also gives the viewer insight into how people are portraying themselves. And, it delves into how manners need to still be adressed.

As for the rest of the cast, while there isn't a lot of attention focused here, they still deliver a good job with what they are given.

The costumes look like something out of the 1960s, and they fit the characters well. In fact, the look of the film itself is quite amazing as it replicates the time period of the decade very well. Especially with the automobiles, which look incredible seeing them run after nearly half a decade on the road.

The pacing of this movie is just perfect. At a little over two hours, the film does take its time introducing the set up, but once it gets going, the audience will have an enjoyable time with these two characters.

The music is also keen on representing the style being played. Plus, with an orchestrated score by Kris Bowers, the movie does have a lively jazz feel its soundtrack.

Now, onto the subject of the film's director: Peter Farrelly. Known for more over the top comedies with his brother, Bobby, and venturing into the more gross out style of humor, this is Peter's first foray into the world of drama. It's a neat little experiment, and Peter tries to blend both the comedy and the drama fine.

This, however, leads into the biggest issue with the film: the tone.

Judging by the promotional material, one would assume that this would be a historical drama. In fact, there is more comedic moments than there are dramatic. If the film had kept a consistent tone, then the movie would have been perfect. Also, because of this, the does tend to stray away from fact, and relate more fiction than anything else.

“Green Book” is just like the travel guide. It is an interesting experience, with a few bumps along the way. But by the end, the viewer will have a good time with themselves.