Green Book (2018) Dir: Peter Farrelly
- Ridley Coote
- Apr 6
- 2 min read
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Although I was aware of this film's existence, it hadn't necessarily been at the top of my watchlist. However, What really sold me on this Peter Farrelly directed film was its cast, specifically its two leading actors. I could not wait to see them interact. Some solid reviews didn't hurt its cause either, mind you.
I was very fond of the dialogue. I thought that the back-and-forth between the two protagonists was very enjoyable. I liked the contrast between diction and how it played into the two character's relationship, particularly early on. To that end, I found the evolution of each exchange to be both interesting and entertaining - the humour landed just right for me.
The story, though essentially a road-trip narrative, took audiences down the well-trodden and necessary path of portraying the history of civil rights in America, albeit through a fairly atypical lense. The societal, cultural, and personal differences between the main characters created some excellent interactions between the two - something only helped by the superb chemistry between the actors.
Viggo Mortensen was a bundle of joy to watch in this film. As much as I like him, I did not expect him to have the range he exhibited in this role. The man looked like he was having the time of his life - his energy was infectious. I think Mortensen is a pretty underrated actor, all things considered - he can really go when he wants to.
Mahershala Ali wore his distinguished and elegant persona like a tailored suit. It felt so natural for him, and the quality of some of his acting was top tier. Although he did not actually play the piano, he mimicked the mannerisms and posture of a real pianist very believably. This was a very good performance by Ali.
Of the supporting cast, though she has very little comparative screentime, I thought that Linda Cardellini stood out by a mile. She was incredibly endearing. Other than her, it was only really Sebastian Maniscalco and Dimiter D. Marinov, who I felt warranted a mention for their respective roles and performances.
Overall, I thought that this was a very enjoyable comedy drama. It had that mix of heart and humour that makes for such compelling storytelling. The truth behind the film makes it that much more enjoyable, and that much more impactful from an emotional standpoint. It's well worth checking out.
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