Marinov as Oleg, a member of Shirley's trio, who has a few interactions with Tony Lip that hammer home some vital life lessons. They all do what's necessary, filling out the world Farrelly created. The crux of Green Book's plot doesn't lend itself to being an ensemble piece, but it should be noted none of the actors are bad in their roles. To be fair, this is most likely a byproduct of the story's nature, rather than negligence on the part of the creative team. Even Cardellini (who makes the most of her short screen time) amounts to little more than the housewife missing her loving husband. Farrelly populates New York with other members of the Vallelonga family, and while they deliver a solid laugh or two during brief interludes in the second act, they aren't given much to work with. Shirley's dynamic, the supporting cast unfortunately gets lost in the background. With so much of the focus on Tony Lip and Dr. Both leads have rightfully been in discussion for Oscar nominations and definitely deserve them. He gives off a fittingly regal and sophisticated aura, but also has convincing dramatic outbursts to make it a well-rounded portrayal. Ali gives a reserved and soulful performance as Shirley, tapping into the character's inner turmoil of being a person torn between two worlds. In a lesser thespian's hands, Tony Lip may have become a caricature, but Mortensen maintains Vallelonga's humanity throughout. After putting together a string of more serious-minded turns, it's nice to see the actor loosen up and have some fun as the street-wise bouncer. Mortensen arguably has the showier role of the two, completely transforming into the larger-than-life figure of Tony Lip. The two actors are a perfectly matched pair, playing off each other with great chemistry. But his approach doesn't come across as derivative, instead adding to the already captivating atmosphere.įor all the strong work by Farrelly and his crew, it's hard to imagine Green Book working as well as it does without the presence of Mortensen and Ali. Farrelly definitely borrows from the Martin Scorsese playbook in places (the presence of the Copacabana will bring Goodfellas to mind), employing a catchy soundtrack full of old school pop tunes to complement Shirley's virtuoso piano performances. Collaborating with production designer Tim Galvin and cinematographer Sean Porter, the director also takes moviegoers straight back to the 1960s, drawing viewers in with its tone and aesthetic from the opening minutes. He tones down his usual sensibilities, with all of the comedy feeling natural and in-character. A number of clever callbacks and payoffs peppered throughout the script also ensure no scene goes to waste, as the film cruises through its runtime.įarrelly specializes in gross-out humor that doesn't work for everyone, but he shows a refreshing constraint here, handling potentially sensitive subject matter with the grace and care it deserves. The writing team deserves credit for blending comedy and drama, as Green Book is never short on levity, yet still shines a spotlight on the rather serious and frustrating racial prejudices that were so prevalent in the segregation era. While Nick didn't accompany his father and Shirley on the tour, the script no doubt takes inspiration from Tony's stories about his time in the South. ![]() Tony Lip's son Nick Vallelonga is one of three credited co-writers (along with Farrelly and Brian Hayes Currie), which helps the film find its crucial sense of authenticity. ![]() There's no denying audiences should be able to plot out the narrative's trajectory in their heads, but that doesn't diminish the journey in the slightest. That it also acknowledges the intersectionality of Don’s experiences as a gay black man should not be ignored.After its run at the festival circuit, Green Book drew several comparisons to Best Picture winner Driving Miss Daisy, leading some viewers to find it a bit safe and conventional in its storytelling and themes. But the film doesn’t shy from depicting racism in its ugliness and sadism when it counts. You could certainly argue that its handle on racial politics is simplistic. There’s been a fair few criticisms of Green Book’s somewhat rose-tinted take on the appallingly violent reality of the Jim Crow South. ![]() His is not the average black experience in America, but as we later learn, he deliberately chooses to tour more hostile areas of the country, using his position as a celebrated musician for the sake of progress. But Ali, who has always been an incredibly thoughtful actor, coats his performance with a dignity and melancholy. ![]() A model of quiet elegance and self-possession, there’s humour to be found in his obsessive-compulsiveness and almost regal particularisms. Mahershala Ali’s Don Shirley is a contrast, in every sense. The central humanistic message is important, necessary and correct.
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