Note: Since I wrote this review, it has come to my attention that the family of Don Shirley has objected to the events that were portrayed in the film, and how Don was written. I know that the screenplay was written by Nick Vallelonga, one of Tony Lip’s children, and others, and I now am reluctant to recommend the film, as a result. I would’ve liked to see the results of a collaboration between the Shirley and Vallelonga families, but that will not happen at this point.
Capsule Review
Green Book is a new movie about race relations in the early, segregated 1960s. Closely based on a true story, it follows a New York Italian-American, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), who is hired as a driver for a black pianist/virtuoso, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), for a tour of the Northeastern and Southern USA. Southern USA, you say? Sounds like trouble.
It’s a road picture. It’s a tale of cultures clashing and strong, sometimes brutal racial conflict. It’s a tale of growth and manages to feel sympathy with both sides of the coin (though not completely, thankfully). It’s a well-rounded cast. It’s touching and heartfelt, as well. It’s also properly funny. I guess that’s something you have to expect when your director’s Peter Farrelly. The main writing credit goes to Nick Vallelonga, Tony’s real-life son.
This is the kind of film that gets Oscar nominations. It’s that good. Highly Recommended, and easily one of my favorite films of 2018.
Standard Review
Tony is a connected guy, who does jobs from time to time. His normal job at the Copacabana is not available because of renovations. He stumbles into the driver’s position, and Don is hesitant to hire him since he’s married with children. Don calls Tony’s wife Delores (Linda Cardellini), who insists it won’t be a burden for him to be away from home for the two months of the tour.
It starts up well enough, but Tony is not really a chauffeur. He’s rude, crude, and generally does what he wants. Don is polite and fastidious, and their relationship is akin to that of Oscar and Felix ‘s from The Odd Couple. Everything goes relatively smoothly as the tour takes them west of NYC, but once they head in a southerly direction, that’s where the fun begins.
Green Book refers to a travel guide from the time, that listed hotels that accept ‘coloreds’, as things are still segregated enough that they aren’t allowed in most of hotels along the tour. Don is part of a trio, with two white men to accompany him on stage.
Viggo Mortensen is not Italian, but thanks to some serious coaching for mannerism and dialect, you never think he isn’t. Linda Cardellini is excellent as a supporting cast member, and I can only compare her to the spunky Laura Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke show. She has a strong sense of family, and that clearly shines throughout. Mahershala’s Don is quite reserved, and exudes a touch of sadness. It’s a rather impressive supporting cast, too, which includes several members of the Vallelonga family. Everyone seems to hit the right tone in the movie.