Green Book | Film Review

Hey Guys x

This is the second-to-last film that I needed to see before I've seen all of this year's Oscar Best Picture nominees - because it took such a long time to come out in the UK! Nevertheless, I've seen it now and I can't wait to review it!

Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) is an Italian-American bouncer with a tendency to solve his problems with violence. After finding himself unemployed, he takes a job as a driver for Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), an African-American pianist who is touring the Deep South. While at first these two seem like complete opposites, they manage to develop a friendship while dealing with cultural differences and prevalent racism in 1962.

I was surprised by how much I liked this film. When a film comes out and instantly gets loads of accolades before being released to the general public, sometimes that means that it speaks more to critics than to audiences, which can also tend to be the case with widely nominated films. Fortunately, this film doesn't fall into that category.

The first thing that stuck out to me was the way that the camera placement makes the audience feel like they're a part of everything that happens. Whether we're placed in the car as the two men are driving, or up on stage when Dr. Shirley is performing, we're always in the middle of the action, strengthening the impact of each event.

Then of course, there's the subject matter. The title 'Green Book' refers to a guidebook that showed black travellers motels and restaurants that would serve them. The book is an integral part of the film as it opens Tony's eyes to the racism that he hadn't previously noticed (and been a part of), but it also sets the tone for the film. Because while 'racism' as an umbrella term is a major theme of the film, a more localised theme is the 'rules' of the Deep South - and the way that Dr. Shirley puts up with these rules while Tony voices how differently he would handle the situation.

The issue of racism in the Deep South is handled really well. There are some overt moments, and other subtle moments. But the best thing about the film is the fact that the racism isn't the main thing. The main theme of this film is the friendship that develops between these two men from completely different worlds. Their friendship is the most important aspect of this story - and in my opinion, it's why this film is being as well-received as it is.

And I also have to mention Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, who were both utterly phenomenal in these roles. The film would not have been what it is without them, and they both deserve all the praise and accolades that they are (probably) going to receive for their incredible performances.

Overall, see this film. It's so much more than the Oscars, or any other awards. It's heartwarming, touching, infuriating and special.

8.5/10

Lou