Green Book

I usually do not care to watch a movie more than once so I dont have a reason to purchase many DVDs. I have, maybe, a dozen favorites in my collection that I gladly will watch again and again. This one made the list! Funny thing, I almost didnt rent it - it was on my maybe watch list for so long it no long was available from my movie service. Then a friend rented it and highly recommended it. I watched it and knew it was something I could easily watch again - and have it on hand when guests come over and want to watch a good movie. Excellent story - excellent acting - powerful message.

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.

Such an amazing movie! Cant recommend this enough!

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

One of my top five all time hits. Mahershala Ali won the Academy award for his portrayal of Dr. Don Shirley a black classical pianist and Viggo Mortensen was nominated and should have won for his portrayal of Tony the Lip. Mortensen has lost his job as a bouncer at the famed Copacabana. He has a family to support and applies for the position of driving Ali around the south to perform. The green book is for blacks and details motels, hotels and restaurants that cater to blacks travelling down south, for this is Jim Crow times. Lovely scene when Tony finds out that Shirley lives in Carnegie Hall and sees the very exquisite rooms that Shirley lives in. They are confronted with the racism of the times, Ali can perform on stage but not eat in the restaurants or use the washrooms at the places he performs in. Viggo is assisted by Ali when he is asked to write home, the letters get better with Alis assistance. The last concert is at a restaurant and Ali gets a small closet to dress in, when he is told he cant eat at the restaurant but they will bring food to his dressing room the 2 leave and enter a black establishment with music, Ali performs in an astounding performance and after when they leave, Tony shoots his gun to scare off a robber. There are many great scenes, in one hotel, Tony meets some friends who tell him they will pay him extra to work for them, they speak in Italian and put down Shirley, Tony is surprised that Shirley also speaks and understands what they said, he offers him more money but Tony turns it down. another great scene is when Shirley goes to a white bar for a drink is confronted by some racists. The trip home to reach New York is very difficult with snow conditions, but Shirley drives Tony home just before Christmas, Shirley comes back to Tonys home for Christmas celebration. This is remarkable for it is based on fact, the 2 remained friends for many years. I purchased a couple of Don Shirleys music cds. This film is one of the best of the decade. Virtuoso performances by the cast.

JUST WATCH IT, will not be disappointed!!

The story line was very well written and the actors performances were ... well, I cant come up with a word to describe what phenomenal job they did bringing these characters to life. Based on a true story, too, showing how two people from different worlds become lifelong friends. Many laughs and heart-warming moments.

Great movie. Sad to see how uncivilized we treat our Black brothers

Worth it