Brilliantly written and acted. What a pair!

Rating: 9/10 (6 April 2019)

Based on a true story: In 1962, Tony "Lip" Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) lives in an Italian neighbourhood in the Bronx and works as a nightclub bouncer. During a period of temporary unemployment, he signs on to work for renowned classical/jazz pianist, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) as a chauffeur as Shirley travels from his Manhattan home to locations in the US mid-west and Deep South for an arranged concert tour. As Shirley is African-American and the Deep South had segregation laws at the time, great difficulties are faced and the two men bond.
The initial clashes between these two opposites is funny, moving, and genuine. The differences in advantage also make for an interesting dynamic. Tony has the advantage of race which is not only magnified while in the southern states; it also shows in his foolish assumptions he has about Don and black people in general. Don has the advantage of status, culture, and education which he often uses to criticize Tony in ways that make Don easily seem like an annoying teacher.
The two lead performances are brilliant especially during a confrontation scene that takes place during a rainy night. Mortensen is raw and rough but with a human edge that shifts during an experience that is radically new to him. And Ali is exceptional in one of the best characterizations in many years.
As Don, Ali begins by being truly irritating with his snobbishness and class prejudice. As the film progresses, the viewer at least begins to understand Don and even sympathize with him as his complexities are gradually exposed. And by the end, Don is not just likeable; he's downright loveable.
In "Moonlight" (2016), Ali showed depth and subtlety in a role that was unfortunately too short. In "Green Book", his talents are on full display in an expanded role that shows his best. Again, his depth of subtlety comes through particularly in a scene when Don is vulnerable as he thinks he might lose Tony as his driver.
Director Peter Farrelly, also a co-writer, shows a subtle touch especially in a scene that silently show southern blacks reacting to the presence of a fellow African-American who seems to have reached heights that may have thought impossible.
A shocking scene that takes place at a YMCA building is one that could have been expanded but the secrecy behind it is actually appropriate given the time period.
With so much going for it, "Green Book" carries the torch right to the end with a superb conclusion that is emotional but with the restraint that matches Don's character so well. It allows the tears to get close to the surface but without exiting the ducts. And Tony's wife Dolores (Linda Cardellini) eases the the tension with a hilarious line - one of many in this great film. - dbamateurcritic
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
1) Screenplay by Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga, and Brian Hayes Currie
2) Acting by Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen