A Reel Review: GREEN BOOK

In the last 20 years, the directing and writing duo of the Farrelly brothers (Peter and Bobby), have brought us some of the most well-received films in the comedy genre, such as DUMB AND DUMBER (1994), KINGPIN (1996), and FEVER PITCH (2005). This year, Peter ventures out on his own in new territory; directing and co-writing a true story drama centered around two unlikely companions. 

In the 1960’s, famed African-American jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), hires Italian-American bouncer Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), to be his driver and bodyguard on a musical tour of the deep south.

Co-written by Nick Vallelonga, the real-life son of Tony, GREEN BOOK embraces the old road-trip and odd-couple genre and sends it down the highway with two well-developed characters who could not be further apart. Tony is a blue-collar guy who is rough around the edges and solves conflicts with his fists, while sporting an enormous appetite and is surrounded by family. Don in the meantime is a lean gentleman, who has no family and uses his intellect and education to solve problems. The contrast between these two men is wide, but as they drive through the Jim Crow-era of the South and encounter racism at its worst, they find common ground. 

The bulk of GREEN BOOK unspools with Tony and Don in the car, interrupted by Don’s wonderful performances and encounters with segregation laws, with the latter storylines acting as an eye-opener. Don is embraced as a wonderful performer among rich white people, but still isn’t allowed to eat with them or use their toilets. Tony in the meantime has his own prejudices to put aside, and his turn to see humanity over all else is long, but natural. 

Peter Farrelly keeps the pacing tight and humor well-timed. The laughs are huge but never ridiculous, and the dramatic scenes are very well directed. The music of the time really gives the film a kick, and it is a joy to watch from head to tail. 

Performances are wonderful. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali are electric together, and each get major moments to shine. Linda Cardellini plays Tony’s wife and turns in one of her best roles. 

If GREEN BOOK has any flaw, there is one character trait/problem that Don has which is not given any reason for existing, and it doesn’t seem to have a solution by movie’s end. But it’s a minor gripe in what is a charming, fun, and eye-opening film. Peter Farrelly has proven that he has some serious chops away from the comedy genre. 

BOTTOM LINE: See it