12/3/18 - Green Book (2018) 6+/7-/10

I enjoyed my time with Green Book, but it will not surprise you in any way. From frame A to frame Z, you know exactly what you are getting and it studiously makes its way down the Driving Miss Daisy test, ticking off all those check mark boxes: highlight and discuss racism, work harder to dance with issues than fully realize characters, eventually come to an understanding of what makes these lightly touched on but adequately invested in characters tick, develop a friendship that allows for a “happy ending” for the holiday season. Maybe it sounds as though I am being derisive, and perhaps with a little bit of tongue-planted-in-cheek, I am, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t well done and enjoyable.

What really drives this film is the work of Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Despite Mortensen’s questionable thick NY italian accent, he does a marvelous job. Really working the emotions and making a sympathetic and enjoyable mostly realized character. The guy is supposed to be a schlub, but he is lovable in a way, and earns a level of respect. While Viggo chews the scenery like some greasily decadent KFC, Ali delivers yet another oh-so-strong supporting role. With a serene coldness belying a burning torture inside, Ali makes you feel for his character and his plight in the time & place he exists in. He seems to do this every year and I will keep eating it up if he keeps bringing it like he does.

Green Book won’t wow you in almost any moment, but it does worm its way into your emotions and succeed at being exactly what it wants to be. It doesn’t go for flash or intricacy, just nailing the basics and letting the actors do the tremendous job that they can.