A charming, mismatched buddy comedy

Johnson Thomas

An inspired true story, this road trip movie that has a white, brash Italian, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) play chauffeur-cum-bodyguard to an elegant, supremely talented, world class Black musician Dr Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), is a rib-tickling, subtle comedy that scores its hits on the differences and the contentious. 

Green Book is neither edgy nor searing. It highlights the racial discrimination rampant in pre-integration 1962 deep South, without making it a cause celebre. It arrives at its feel-good meter by contrasting lifestyles, habits, class and lingo to spring forth a humorous yet moving, resolute, visual document- a strong comment on the lives that were discriminated against. 

This is an old style narration replete with acute period representation and antiquated style. It’s a classy inspirational tale that touches you without attempting to squeeze out your tear ducts. And it surprisingly, comes from Peter Farelly. Considering the grossed-out comedies they specialise in, this one certainly seems way out of the box for Peter. He helms it with confidence brought on by superb casting and viable scripting. 

Tony’s son Nick Vallelonga is credited with assisting Farrelly and Brian Hayes Currie in getting the mood and moments right. Viggo Mortensen’s performance is so immersive that it’s hard to see him as any other than Tony Vallelonga while Mahershala Ali turns in yet another high-on-dignity performance to get the latent friction between them into top gear. Together they make it a memorable experience!