Writer/Director: Peter Farrelly
Co-writers: Nick Vallelonga and Brian Hayes Currie
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali and Linda Cardellini
‘Powerful Period Piece’
Racism has long been a part of American history. Whether we want to confront it or not, there has always been tension between blacks and whites. It’s a conflict that can be traced all the way back to the 1960’s. During this time, racial segregation was rampant in the United States. African Americans were forced to follow laws in which they were separated from their white counterparts. However, there were exceptions to this trend. For instance, in 1962 an African American pianist formed a friendship with his Italian American driver on a set of road trips.
Peter Farrelly’s latest film “Green Book” brings this inspiring true story to the big-screen. Funny, heartwarming and touching, the film offers an enlightening look at a real-life friendship. With the help of a sharp script and fantastic performances from the leading stars, director Peter Farrelly skillfully adapts a true story to the big-screen. It’s not easy to infuse humor into a subject as serious as racism, but the director manages to pull this off effortlessly. The result is a film that is by turns, funny, dramatic, and above all a crowd-pleaser. Despite its lengthy running time, “Green Book” is a powerful film that is worth seeing for its uplifting message.
Set during the 1960’s, “Green Book” focuses on a real-life friendship that transpired at a time of racial segregation. Viggo Mortensen stars in the lead role as Tony ‘Lip’ Vallelonga, an Italian-American driver searching for a job. Tony is a racist, tough-talking man that doesn’t get along with everyone. However, his life forever changes when he is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a black pianist. As the two men embark on a road trip through the American South, they form an unexpected bond over time.
It is then that we are swept on an unforgettable road trip that offers plenty of laughs, dramatic moments and a history lesson on racism.
Due to Peter Farrelly’s deft direction, it all comes together seamlessly. Known mostly for his comedies, such as “Dumb and Dumber”, Farrelly has proven that he knows how to make audiences laugh. However, “Green Book” marks his first foray into dramatic territory. With this real-life tale, Farrelly tackles issues such as racism, discrimination and class differences during the 1960’s. It’s a dramatic departure from Farrelly’s usual comedic work, and sees the filmmaker strike a fine balance between moments of drama and comedy. At times, “Green Book” is solemn when it depicts the acts of racism that African Americans endured during the era. However, the film is also funny and has its fair share of hilarious moments. The two moods blend together perfectly, and it is all due to Peter Farrelly’s strong direction.
Another praise-worthy aspect of “Green Book” is the screenplay. It is not easy to adapt a true story to the big-screen, but the writers do a splendid job. The script is arguably the film’s strongest asset. It is filled with larger-than-life characters, witty dialogue and engaging situations that keep the viewer invested. Although most of the movie takes place in a car with two people interacting, it is thoroughly entertaining. It is mainly due to the dialogue, which is extremely well-written and true to life. For instance, a memorable scene in the film that showcases the dialogue is when Tony eats fried chicken with Dr. Shirley in the car. It’s a scene that works tremendously on many levels. Not only is the scene engaging because of witty dialogue, but also due to the perfect comic timing of the actors.
In terms of acting, it is hard to not admire the amazing performances from the cast. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali are exceptional in the lead roles, creating a friendship that is utterly believable. Both actors deserve to be recognized come awards season.
Viggo Mortensen delivers his finest performance to date in the role of a tough Italian American driver. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly committed to bringing the character to life. A fine actor, Mortensen has always excelled in roles that require dramatic range. With “Green Book”, however, he proves that he has a knack for comedy. With distinct mannerisms and perfect comic timing, he captures the persona of a racist driver. It’s a remarkable performance that is worthy of awards and recognition. After being overlooked for many years as an actor, Viggo Mortensen deserves everyone’s attention.
Mahershala Ali is terrific in the role of Dr. Don Shirley. Following his Oscar-winning turn in “Moonlight”, Ali proves once again that he is one of the finest actors of his generation. With soulful expressions, he captures the struggles of a marginalized black pianist during an era of racial segregation. Whether he is playing the piano or arguing with a police officer, Ali is believable in every aspect of the role. It’s a powerful performance that speaks to the struggles that African Americans faced during the 1960’s.
Although “Green Book” is worth seeing for its performances alone, ultimately it is not a film without flaws. If I had a minor issue with the movie, it would be the lengthy running time. At two hours and ten minutes, the film is slightly long and drags towards the end. With the help of an energetic score, director Peter Farrelly keeps the film moving at an engaging pace during the first hour. However, once the film enters its Christmas themed finale it starts to lose steam and test the viewer’s patience. Perhaps, a little more attention to the editing would have elevated the movie to another level.
Nevertheless, fans of real-life dramas will definitely enjoy “Green Book” and so will movie-goers seeking fresh entertainment this holiday season. At a time when racism is still an issue in America, films like this deserve to be seen and celebrated.
Not only do they give people pride, but they remind us of what we can achieve when we put aside our differences to form long-lasting friendships during times of racial divide.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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