The winner of Best Picture at the 91st annual Academy Awards, Green Book, has come home on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download formats. The true tale, starring Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen and Oscar winner (for Best Supporting Actor) Mahershala Ali, chronicles the friendship that developed between world renowned pianist Dr. Don Shirley (Ali) and Tony Lip (Mortensen).
It is 1962 and Shirley is about to embark on a tour of the deep south, and he needs a driver—also, someone who might know a thing or two about getting out of tense situations. That’s Tony, alright. The Italian family man works at the famed Copa Club in New York City and as the establishment is closed for a few weeks for renovations, Tony needs some work. Fate works in mysterious ways as Dr. Shirley calls on him and inquires if he’d feel comfortable driving him around the south while he performs. Tony knows there will be issues, but the money is good, so he takes the gig.
The tale of two folks from different walks of life forced to endure a trip for an elongated period of time is not a new trope for the cinema medium. One of our favorites, Midnight Run, showed that the format can have hilarious results. Hearing that Green Book comes from director Peter Farrelly, the man who with his brother gave us Dumb and Dumber and There’s Something About Mary, might lead you to believe that his latest is on that more hilarious side. Sure, there are laughs, and quite endearing ones at that. But this is not a comedy in its purest sense. There is nothing funny about the way that Shirley was treated while he traversed the south in the early 60s. Integration was being forced on these folks, as they saw it, and they are not taking kindly to it. In fact, the title of the film arrives from a real informative book that African Americans would take with them while traveling as it laid out safe places to stay and eat while on the road.
As can be somewhat predicted, as the journey progresses, the walls between these two men break down and they learn that they enjoy each other’s company, and each appreciates what the other brings to the table of life. This true story of a friendship that continued for years and years after the southern tour completed does warm the heart. It has been hit with some controversy given its appearing from the outside “white savior” trope that hits a nerve with many. I, personally, didn’t get that as much as others from witnessing Green Book. In fact, I felt that the friendship felt palpably real and authentic and honestly, got the impression from my viewing that Ali’s character should be the lead and Mortensen’s should be the supporting. That’s not how they were presented during awards season, but that’s a discussion for a whole new article in our Oscar Watch column.
For more on my thoughts on Green Book’s Oscar win, click here.
Farrelly has helmed a film that warms the heart and inspires the soul. Don’t be surprised if you seek out the musical recordings of Dr. Shirley as he was quite the renaissance man on the keyboard. Some have called his music “classical,” but I would beg to differ. It is in a league all of its own. There is such rich camaraderie between the two leads. If their chemistry doesn’t feel real, the entire movie does not work. Not sure how much rehearsal or lead time that Mortensen and Ali had prior to filming, but whatever it was did the trick because these two are the first, second, third, fourth and fifth highlights for watching Green Book. In fact, I would love to see a film in an entirely different genre with these two. I get the sense that their chemistry is innate and that kind of cinematic connection between players is rare and certainly at the heart of why Green Book resonated so much with so many people—including the Academy voters who bestowed on it the industry’s greatest honor.
Also fantastic in the film is Linda Cardellini (The Founder) as Tony’s wife. Now, it takes an actress of supreme talent to have her presence hang over the film while her husband is on the road. He writers her letters (sometimes with Shirley’s help!) and one can feel that utter adoration that exists between Tony and his wife. That must be credited to the stunning chemistry that they possessed—even though they spend much of the film apart. That’s no easy task and kudos to the two actors and director Farrelly for achieving that almost impossible endeavor.
Ali, of course won an Oscar, but his performance goes beyond accolades. There is a subtly that rises to the forefront of his turn that is layered with frustration from his lot in life, the prejudice he endures and how he feels like he doesn’t necessarily belong to any one group. I believe many can relate to this aspect of the story and in the hands of Ali it never feels like a pity party. In fact, it is richly contextualized with societal commentary on a multitude of levels.
When it comes to Mortensen’s performance, audiences have never seen him in this manner. He took what could have been a truly stereotypical role—Italian New Yorker—and he infused it with his supreme thespian gifts and produced a Tony Lip that is truly believable in how we see him “evolve” as a human being as the society at large is evolving as well.
The Green Book Blu-ray contains three fantastic featurettes that accomplish several elements. They take us behind-the-scenes and inform our curiosity as to how the film was made, but these featurettes also give us a larger-picture resonance to the film that easily explains why it was met with such appreciation from audiences, a majority of critics and award voters.
An Unforgettable Friendship is a sensational featurette—albeit a wee bit too short at five minutes—that delves deeper into the true friendship that lies at the center of the entire film. It references historical documents that reinforce what is showcased onscreen in the form of character growth and change. Of particular note (pun intended) was its look at the use of music in the film and its far-reaching power. A terrific addition to this featurette is a quick interview with Tony Lip’s son that explores what he contributed to the film.
After witnessing Green Book, don’t be surprised if you find yourself heading over to the ole Google and searching for information about the history of the titular travel guide. Before doing that, might I recommend exploring the bonus feature Going Beyond the Green Book. It is an informative, but brief, look at how the book came to be and how it was a priceless element packed right along underwear and socks for many an African-Americans traveling during the early 60s.
Lastly, since the Oscar winning and nominated turns are the true highlight to the entire Green Book experience, don’t-miss Virtuoso Performances. Besides having a stellar moniker for a featurette for this film, the behind-the-scenes look at the combustible chemistry between Mortensen and Ali is an utter delight. One gets a true appreciation for the extraordinary work these top-tier actors put into their performances to do the real-life people they portray justice.
Film grade: A+
Bonus features: A