I had seen the trailer of "Green Book" and it had all the earmarks of a movie that I would avoid. A diversity message. More drama from self-conscious Hollywood. But a friend I trust told me that she thought it was a film I would really like and she's also one who hates the whole diversity push as well.
She was correct. Yes, "Green Book" sports a teachable moment but presents in a way that doesn't feel like you are being hit in the head with an anvil from three stories above. More importantly, it brings you a message with some wonderful out-and-out comedy. Indeed, "Green Book," in its own special way, does more for race relations in two hours than the fraudulent Barack and Michelle Obama did in eight years.
You look at the poster above and you immediately think this is going to be a spin on "Driving Miss Daisy" with a Tony Soprano-type behind the wheel. And, yes, that is pretty much the log line here. But this film winds up being about so much more. And it is inspired by a true story which does get presented over the closing credits with photos of the real people involved.
It is 1962. Tony, played in Oscar-nomination-style by Viggo Mortensen, is a bouncer/waiter at the Copacabana in New York City. The night club closes for renovation over the Christmas holidays, leaving him and his family without an income for a while. He looks for a short term job and ends up becoming the driver/body guard for noted jazz pianist Dr. Don Shirley on a series of concert stops through the deep South. The body guard function is key as it is mentioned that Nat King Cole was accosted in the Jim Crow South back on a concert tour in 1956.
Mahershala Ali, so self conscious and overbearing in his Oscar role from the grossly overrated "Moonlight," is completely and wonderfully different here as the pianist. First off, that really appears to be him playing the piano unless they have incorporated some really nifty CGI. Secondly, he perfectly captures the character of a guarded genius dealing with some goom-bah from the Bronx. (By the way, the neighborhood streets shown look nothing like the Bronx.) Don and Tony are oil and water. I mean, early in the film, Tony catches his wife giving a drink of water to two Black workmen and he winds up throwing the glasses in the garbage.
It is obvious that these two will forge a friendship and relationship during their road trip. The "green book" of the title actually refers to a pamphlet that outlines where "Negros" can safely lodge and dine in the Deep South. As it turns out, Tony winds up eating in better restaurants and staying in nicer hotels than the guy he is actually working for.
Naturally, there are expected twists and turns as these two gentlemen come together. The ending is inevitable but the journey to get there is compelling and...gasp...funny. There are some big out-loud laughs in this film. It's that special combination that makes "Green Book" a winner and I am predicting big things come Oscar night.
The reason this all works is because it is true and organic. This is reinforced with the actual photos shown at the end. Kudos to director Peter Farrelly for crafting a tale that stays with you. Additionally, Tony's real son is one of the screenwriters and that makes it even more real.
Go, go, go. "Green Book" is not the movie you think it is. It certainly wasn't for me.
LEN'S RATING: Four stars!
Dinner last night: Kobe meatballs and pasta at Taste on Melrose.
No comments:
Post a Comment