Green Book Movie Review

Green Book (2018)

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Written by: Nick Vallelonga & Brian Hayes Currie & Peter Farrelly (written by)
Directed by: Peter Farrelly
Starring: Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen, Linda Cardellini
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.

Verdict
This is an okay movie, but it's a very safe movie that feels like it's using racial issues to elevate themes that aren't present. The movie's very title alludes to racial tensions of the time, but the handling of that tension is subdued. This isn't much more than an odd couple pairing movie with racial tension thrown in to make it something more. The problem is that tension isn't addressed. If anything, the white protagonist saving the day only compounds what this movie doesn't say. The movie is ridiculously predictable,
It depends.

Review
It's not difficult to see where this movie is going just a few minutes in. This is set in the '60s and Tony is a racist. Tony is rough and tumble and he's willing to work for Doctor Shirley for the money.

This is an odd couple pairing, that is incredibly shallow. We know what will happen more or less. It's really hard not to see this as a parallel to Driving Miss Daisy. Despite the simple story, this still has it's moments. Shirley often chides Tony about how crass Tony speaks. Tony proudly proclaims himself a bull crap artist and Shirley asks him if it's truly something about which to be proud. Tony quickly responds, "Well it got me this job."

Shirley treats him like a child, but the movie is content to provide typical movie dialog responses. The whole movie is a setup that barely addresses the issue at hand. A Green Book was a travel guide that allowed minority travelers to find safe places. While the movie includes the book, it diminishes what that really means. This is a low stakes movie. It's pointedly Oscar bait. It introduces a race issue but doesn't expand on it. This doesn't say anything.

Mahershala Ali is impressive. This movie shows off his great range compared to other movies he's done. He's one of those actors that can seem like a different person at will. Mortenson isn't bad either.

It's not a bad movie, it's just very safe. The movie doesn't reach far, content to be a buddy type movie. Tony and Shirley do have a cool relationship, and it's the times where they give each other a hard time that the movie feels the most authentic.

With introducing the Green Book travel guide but not really going into what that means, this movie avoids a big part of history. While the movie touches upon discrimination, and racism, Tony Lipp swoops in to save the day. What's the message there?