One Of The Years Best.

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2018)

One of the years best, truly beautifully acted and directed, along with a heartwarming and simply fun story.
This feature is a great achievement, it was funny and engaging and very much worth the wait to finally see. In partiuclar the performances are the first pieces which pop out, the brilliant chemistry between Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali's at the core of the feature, placed in conjunction with the screenplay, gives the film great heart and emotion and an inspirational human story.
While Peter Farrelly's direction is not particularly special, it works extremely well. Most notably I suspect that the feature was shot on film, which brought out very poignant colours and sold the 1962 setting extremely well. As well as the classical look of film, further feeding the atmosphere. It has an extremely charming feeling, that delivers the change in seasons, the different locations of both poverty and wealth to a stark but consistent contrast. The direction does not feel forced, not at all, it flows magnificently thanks to Peter Farrelly. Nothing feels out of place, the editing is clever. The features aspect ratio of 2.00:1, which is uncommon for many films, gives a more unique frame and look to other cinematic endeavour, especially since I saw it in a cinema. It gives the look more character and personality.
Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip (Vallelonga) was perfectly cast, although he has never delivered a performance of this type or ethnicity, he truly delivers the part like a natural. Some may call it a little over the top, but so was the real Tony Lip, it goes all the way round into a very memorable performance. Mortensen truly delivers deep charatcer, and his work with Linda Cardellini as Dolores Vallelonga I'd say was one of the highlights of the film. But of course, his chemistry with Mahershala Ali as Don Shirley is the highlight, the play between these two, one is an informal bullshitter and the other a high class musician, the sparring is fun and memorable. Truly well cast and directed, there's so many scenes, almost all deliver the perfect chemistry to near perfection.
Mahershala Ali as Don Shirley is the supporting role of this road feature. I believe that his performance here may be even better than in moonlight, for not only is there more content, but the layers that Ali delivered through this character are incredible. He is a black man in 1960's America, the best piano player possibly in the world, and keep's his sexuality and past quiet. He is a highly conflicted and rather tragic character, and Ali delivers his vulnerability, and bravery with such class and vexation. Truly it may be the best of his career so far. And how this spars with Tony Lip is truly amazing. They are polar opposites, and the film doesn't just say it, it shows it, it make's it a core aspect of their relationship, they they can come together in such a wonderful intertwined friendship. Ali's gives a highly emotional and very layered performance, extremely well processed and masterfully performed, both seem like real awards contenders.
The supporting cast of this film was very strong, they all had functions that were clear. Most of all was Linda Cardellini as Dolores Vallelonga, her performance was absolutely wonderful. I'd say it's even being overlooked by awards due to how good the other two were, its truly amazing in its own right.
The mix of drama and comedy in this feature is tonally near perfect. Many films would dream of being this consistent and well balanced, it gets it just right, and is a great achievement by the screenwriters and how director Peter Farrelly has constructed the film with his editor. The characterisation in this film is very strong, for almost a fifth of the film is carried by Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip at the beginning. We meet him in the Copacabana nightclub in way that reminded my of Rick's in Casablanca. The vivid colours in the film and the suits, it displays who Tony is highly effectively and is some of the strongest characterisation I have seen all year. It was a perfect start to the film, without staring card and credits, just straight into it in a very natural and really probably my favourite opening to a film all year. The film has such a great message about friendship, overcoming racial boundaries and personal identity, it is a really good aura and atmosphere, particularly in these polarising times.
Musically this film is magnificent, I had heard that the films composer, Kris Bowers, had been a double for Ali on the piano. It seems absolutely seamless, we see Ali's full body while playing, its very well integrated. the score its self is beautiful, these compositions are complex and help to deliver Don Shirley's character, its part of his identity.
However, I must mention that in the innards of the second act, the film dragged a little too long. Perhaps if the film had been 10 maybe even 15 minute's shorter, it could have been a little bit slimmer but overall this didn't impede upon my enjoyment of the film overall much.
Overall, this was a wonderful movie, I enjoyed all parts of this feature. The spectacular cinematography that was poignant from start to finish, particularly in the opening. The wonderful performances that are truly worthy of all their recognition, and the great direction by Peter Farrelly, the beautiful music and heartwarming message the film delivers. Truly worth watching during this years christmas/holiday/awards season, great for all types of moviegoers, a great feel good movie. And truly a memorable one, 9/10.