*****
It's 1962. Tough guy bouncer, renowned 'bullshitter' and family man Tony Lip finds himself out of a job. When he receives a call from a doctor looking for a driver, he jumps at the chance. But Dr Don Shirley is no ordinary doctor, and his journey across the Deep South will be far from easy...
There's not really any other way to say this, so I'll just come straight out with it: I loved Green Book. A poignant tale of injustice, it's strong central message shines out brightly without dipping into the realms of cliche - and this is thanks to both the eloquent, intelligent script and the outstanding performances from Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip and Mahershala Ali as Dr Shirley. Blending the themes of sadness, strife and ignorance with our very human ability to laugh and connect with others, it resonates as a timeless tale of friendship in the face of continuing adversity. The addition of the visually striking musical pieces brings an extra special ingredient, making for a truly memorable watch.
Some scenes are particularly striking, such as a moment in which Dr Shirley steps out of the car on the roadside, only to be faced with a field full of impoverished black workers gazing back at him. It's a wordless yet deeply affecting sequence. Similarly unforgettable, but in a less cinematic way, is the moment at which a rich white host refuses Dr Shirley entrance to the lavatory, suggesting the toilet in the garden instead. In the end, the host would rather delay the concert whilst Dr Shirley is driven back to his motel than allow him to use the 'Whites Only' bathroom. It's not just the scenes of disturbing injustice that linger with you, as the script also boasts moments of genuine laugh-out-loud humour, especially in the nuanced conversations between Tony and Dr Shirley in the car. The letter-writing sequences are undeniably witty, made all the more delightful thanks to the impeccable performances on display.
There are, however, elements of the film that are undoubtedly problematic, and which shouldn't be overlooked. The titular 'green book' (or The Negro Motorist Green Book to give the pamphlet it's full name) hardly features when the story of the document itself is fascinating and wholly indicative of the America in which it was first published. Near the end of the film, there is a scene in which Tony and Dr Shirley are pulled over by a white police officer. As an audience, we expect the officer to behave in a racist fashion, but instead he waves them through. It's a moment that has caused much debate: is this a scene which somehow excuses the behaviour of white people by saying 'see, they weren't all bad' or is it an indication of the changing attitudes that were emerging during the Sixties? I've also heard critics accuse the film of being 'overly saccharine' and almost 'blind' to the horrendous, violent racism and institutional injustice that was still strife throughout the country - we have to remember that this film is set two years prior to the gruesome, racially-motivated murders of voting rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, as depicted in Alan Parker's Mississippi Burning. These are all valid points, but does that stop the film from being enjoyable, educational and affirming in equal measure? It's up for debate.
The story of a blossoming friendship between two very different people, Green Book packs an emotional punch like few other films have. Interweaving moments of heartfelt humour with shocking acts of racism (both obvious and subtle), this entertainingly intelligent movie expertly fuses a poignant script with outstanding performances and a central message that we can all benefit from hearing again.
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