The movie Green Book is one that I have been anticipating for quite awhile and I had the opportunity to see it last night. Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) is a celebrated black pianist embarking on a concert tour in 1962. Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), a bouncer at the Copacabana who is out of work while the nightclub is renovated, is hired by Shirley's record company to be his chauffeur/bodyguard and help him navigate his way through the segregated south (with the help of the titular Green Book which lists the hotels and restaurants that blacks are allowed to frequent). Don is refined and elegant while Tony is brash and crude and their interactions are fraught with tension at the beginning of their journey (and provide quite a bit of comedy). As time goes by Don begins to soften some of Tony's rough edges, particularly in his letter writing endeavors, and Tony helps Don lighten up and enjoy himself, especially in a scene where Don plays the piano in a colored bar. Both of them have inner demons, not to mention stereotypes about each other, but as they get to know each other they form an unlikely friendship which ultimately lasts for the rest of their lives (it is based on a true story). This movie is a bit formulaic but it works on the strength of the lead performances. Ali and Mortensen have great chemistry as their characters banter back and forth and it is a joy to watch them interact. I also really enjoyed the message of overcoming prejudices by getting to know someone who is different. However, there is one scene that is incredibly jarring about an issue that is not referenced again which I feel detracts a bit from the narrative. Otherwise it is a feel-good movie that I really enjoyed and would highly recommend.
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