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Green Book is a biographical drama based on the relationship between Dr Don Shirley and Tony Vallelonga in 1962. The film follows a world class black pianist who chooses to tour around the southern states in America and hires a white bouncer to drive and protect him. The acting in Green Book is excellent: both Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortenson highlight the differences between each other’s characters perfectly, which helps to build both drama and comedy throughout. The strong friendship that grows between the two men is heartwarming to watch, even though Don Shirley’s family argue that in real life their relationship was strictly on an employer-employee basis. The audience feels a genuine connection to the pair, and I loved how they learnt to accept their different ways of life. The film is directed by Peter Farrely, famous for working with his brother Bobby on many gross-out comedies such as There’s Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber, and he definitely brings his comedic roots to Green Book. Hilarious moments are weaved into the screenplay and keep the audience engaged while providing welcomed light in between heavily dramatic scenes. Despite the multitude of funny lines, the film’s message about the way black people were treated is not pushed into the sidelines. Many different aspects of racism are explored, from the way Tony doesn’t truly believe African Americans should be separated but feels he must adopt the belief system of his father to the loneliness Don experiences because of his rare position as a rich black man. The title and its relevance are explained briefly, however it feels as if the writers were struggling to find anything to call the film and I wish it had been included in more scenes. In a scene towards the end that I won’t spoil, something important is revealed about Don that is barely mentioned again, and it’s a shame it wasn’t explored further because it is such an intriguing topic. In conclusion, Green Book is a wonderful feel-good movie with relevant and important messages about the way you treat other people and its difficult not to reach the ending credits without a smile on your face.
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