Great Story, Great Acting

Rating: 10/10 (29 March 2020)

Though "Green Book" has won a library-full of awards, many critics have been lukewarm about its merits. That is because they wish to see it as a commentary on race relations in the U.S. That is like viewing "My Cousin Vinny" as a commentary on the American judicial system.
The film, based on a true story, is about the dynamics of a relationship between two men from different stations and cultures. Tony (Viggo Mortensen) is a meatball hired to drive Dr. Shirley (Mahershala Ali), an erudite black man, on a concert tour that passes through the deep South. Written, in part, by the son of real-life Tony, it is a rewarding story of education and transformation that provides both laughter and tears.
The pace of the film is perfect. The viewer feels like a third passenger in the car as it motors from venue to venue, state to state, while a charming battle of wills evolves. And 1962 is created so accurately---through props and locations, wardrobe and music---that you can practically smell the rooms they have staged.
This is definitely one of the best films of 2018.