When it comes to movies about race and culture,2018 provided a plethora of Oscar-worthy contenders, breaking new ground for cinema.BlacKkKlansmanprovided a mindblowing parallel between the systemic racism prevalent in the ‘70s and current world events. Marvel’sBlack Pantherembraced Afro-Futurism in a way unlike anything ever seen on film. Both films, along with Best Picture contendersRomaandThe Favourite, could have spoken volumes about Hollywood’s progressive moment had they earned the win. Instead, the Academy decided on a period tale full of the same tried-and-true tropes:Green Book.
When thePeter Farrelly-helmed dramedy won Best Picture at the 91st Academy Awards, it felt like a throwback to the days when problematic white savior dramas likeDriving Miss Daisywere guaranteed such accolades. As a biopic depicting the budding relationship between Bronx bouncerTony Lipand pianistDon Shirleyagainst the backdrop of the American South in 1962,it attempts to soften true racial prejudice with little grit and authenticity. AlthoughGreen Bookplays it safe with the touchy themes it carries, its star,Mahershala Ali, manages to rise above the superficiality of the overall direction.
‘Green Book’ Is a Throwback to a Dated Era of Hollywood
Green Bookis inspired by the life of Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), the father of the film’s screenwriter,Nick Vallelonga. Working as a bouncer at the Copacabana, he seeks work when the club gets temporarily shut down. His references help in landing the gig as the personal driver to pianist Don Shirley (Ali), who is touring both Middle America and the Deep South for an eight-week tour. Given the racial divisions in the areas that the two men will be traveling in, Shirley gives TonyThe Negro Motorist Green Bookwith information on where to find non-segregated services specifically down South.
Once the road movie element is introduced,Green Bookfalls into the typical Hollywood narrative of two people from racially diverse backgrounds not getting along until the obstacles they face bring them together. We have seen this play out in every classic drama fromThe Defiant Onesto more recent movies likeThe UpsideandHidden Figures, where racial tensions are treated with kid gloves.MakingGreen Bookan even greater step backwards is Mortensen’s performance. Though the actor pushed back on the “white savior” criticism in a 2024 interview withVanity Fair, his attempt at playing the authentic personality of the real Tony Lip comes across as so overly aggressive that it leans closer to the comedic elements of the film than the drama. It just becomes another buddy picture because of his exagerrated performance.
A fascinating story could have expanded on such a revelation that a handbook for navigating theJim Crow Southexists. What it would have taken for one or several people to locate and record the places deemed safe for African-Americans to eat, sleep, and be entertained could have made for compelling drama. Instead,Green Bookchooses the safest route: Two men learning life lessons through an unlikely friendship that rises above systemic racism. Iconic directorSpike Leeeven voiced his frustration over the unimpressive execution of the film’s textbook approach to Hollywood storytelling. Additionally, thefamily of Shirley disputed the nature of his real-life friendship with Lip, despite audio recordings of the pianist confirming the facts of their relationship. It all adds up to the fact thatthe positive intentions of Farrelly and Vallelonga for telling this story resulted inGreen Bookbeing Oscar bait rather than a true conversation starter like many of Lee’s films tend to do.
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Mahershala Ali Is the Only Oscar-Worthy Aspect of ‘Green Book'
For all theGreen Book’s narrative issues, Ali manages to give an outstanding performance that made his Best Supporting Actor award the only one worth winning. As Shirley, he carries an air of dignity and elegance as an established talent. Yet,Ali knows where to restrain Shirley’s internal rage and when to show vulnerabilityin the moments that establish the pianist’s sexuality as well as his need for belonging. For his part in an otherwise feel-good dramedy, Ali brings reality to an otherwise streamlined screenplay.
If there’s any close comparison to Ali’s performance inGreen Book, it would beDenzel WashingtoninThe Hurricane. Both biopics have standardized screenplays that feature systemic racism, with the real-life facts heavily dramatized. Yet, Ali and Washington give such riveting portrayals of their respective famous figures that elevate past the cliché of tearing the black hero down before their white friends lift them up. While the movies themselves can largely be dismissed in cosmetic terms, these titans of actors make sure their performances are etched into the minds of the audience. Ali certainly did that for an Oscar-winning film that will remain a source of contention among cinephiles.
Green Book
