Green Book

Inspired by a true story, "Green Book" follows Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), a working-class Italian-American bouncer from the Bronx, who is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a world-class African-American classical pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan into the Deep South in 1962. The film is named after "The Negro Motorist Green Book," a guidebook for African-American travelers that listed safe hotels, restaurants, and service stations in the segregated South.

Initially, the two men are at odds due to their vastly different personalities and backgrounds. Tony is boorish and uncultured, while Dr. Shirley is refined, educated, and fastidious. As they travel deeper into the South, they encounter racism and danger, forcing them to rely on each other to survive. Their journey is one of unexpected humor and humanity as they are forced to confront their own preconceived notions and set aside their differences.

Through their shared experiences, an unlikely and profound friendship blossoms, challenging societal norms and transforming both of their lives. The film explores themes of race, class, dignity, and the power of human connection to overcome prejudice.

The central message of "Green Book" is the transformative power of friendship and empathy in dismantling prejudice. Director Peter Farrelly aims to show that by stepping outside of one's own world and getting to know someone on a personal level, deeply ingrained biases can be broken down. The film posits that true understanding and respect are not achieved through grand gestures, but through the accumulation of small, shared experiences. It also highlights the importance of dignity in the face of injustice, as exemplified by Dr. Shirley's insistence on non-violence. Ultimately, "Green Book" suggests that while societal change is a monumental task, individual change is possible and is the first step towards a more just and compassionate world.

One of the main alternative interpretations of "Green Book" centers on its narrative perspective. While the film presents itself as the story of an unlikely friendship, many critics have argued that it is primarily Tony's story, with Dr. Shirley serving as a vehicle for the white character's redemption. This reading suggests the film is less a story about Dr. Shirley's experience with racism and more about a white man learning not to be racist, a common trope in Hollywood films about race.

Another interpretation questions the film's optimistic tone. Some viewers and critics felt that the movie oversimplified the complexities of racism in America, presenting it as a problem that can be solved through individual friendship rather than addressing the systemic nature of prejudice. The heartwarming conclusion, where Dr. Shirley joins the Vallelonga family for Christmas, has been viewed by some as a fairytale-like ending that downplays the harsh realities of the era. These interpretations suggest that while entertaining, the film may offer a sanitized and overly simplistic view of race relations in the 1960s.

"Green Book" was a commercial and critical success, culminating in winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019. However, the film also sparked considerable controversy and debate. Critics praised the performances of Mortensen and Ali, the chemistry between them, and the film's overall heartwarming message. It was often described as a crowd-pleasing, feel-good movie that tackles serious issues with humor and heart.

On the other hand, the film faced criticism for what some saw as a simplistic, "white savior" narrative, telling a story about racism from the perspective of a white protagonist whose own prejudice is redeemed. The family of the real Dr. Don Shirley also disputed the film's portrayal of his life and his friendship with Tony Lip, claiming he was not as isolated from his family or the black community as the film suggests. This led to a wider conversation about historical accuracy in biographical films and the importance of perspective in storytelling. Despite the controversies, the film brought the historical "Green Book" into the mainstream consciousness for many viewers, shedding light on an important piece of African-American history.

Audiences generally responded very positively to "Green Book," as evidenced by its high audience scores on review aggregation sites and its win of the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Viewers praised the film's heartwarming story, humor, and, most notably, the powerful and charismatic performances of Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. The chemistry between the two leads was a frequent point of acclaim. Many found the film to be an uplifting and inspirational story about the power of friendship to transcend hate.

However, the film was not without its detractors among the public. The main points of criticism from some audience members mirrored those of professional critics, particularly concerning the "white savior" trope and the feeling that the story of a brilliant and complex black man was being told through a white lens. The controversy surrounding the Shirley family's objections to the film's accuracy also influenced some viewers' perceptions. Despite these criticisms, the overall verdict from the general audience was largely favorable, with many seeing it as a well-made and emotionally resonant film.