Great Odd Couple Comedy (or Dramedy)

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2018)

Let me state up front that this film's treatment of race, unfortunately, conforms to some of the more harmful cultural myths. There is the white savoir trope present, abet softened both by Tony being changed by Doc and Doc getting 100% of the credit for the resolution of a subplot. There is humor derived from stereotypes and caricatures. I imagine several scenes might be more grating than funny depending on your view point. In particular a certain scene with fried chicken is going to act like a Rorschach test for the audience. The troublesome nature of the material is important to acknowledge. Ultimately, through, given the light touch of the direction, the screenplay's nuance I think this story is about as un-troublesome as a film with this plot can be. These myths are harmful because they are so common. There is no reason to single out a single token of them, especially when the material is handled so deftly.
A lot of this is because of the large choices in the screenplay and direction. This is an odd couple comedy that is touches upon race. It is not a movie about race that has an odd couple in it. The script and direction know that and are structured with that in mind. Tony and Doc are polar opposites in several ways-race, class, education level, tastes etc.-and there is a ton of very touching and funny interaction that are mined because of that. Yes one can quibble here and there about the social import but the film is deeply entertaining deeply charming. There is something very earnest here that works. You accept the warts related to social structures because of that.
Ali and Mortenson make this film. They are perfectly matched and both given great performances, filled with humor, humanity, and nuance. Ali is saddled with a very difficult character and the Doc's struggles are really felt. Mortensen gives his best performance ever here and Tony is a great comedic character. He is basically unrecognizable in the role and I still can't believe Strider and Tony are played by the same guy. Just masterful acting.
This is a good film. Don't hold cinemas' sins against it.