GreenBook (2018)

Directed by: Peter Farrelly | 130 minutes | drama | Actors: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, Mike Hatton, PJ Byrne, Joe Cortese, Maggie Nixon, Von Lewis, Don Stark, Quinn Duffy, Seth Hurwitz, Hudson Galloway, Gavin Lyle Foley, Rodolfo Vallelonga, Louis Venere, Frank Vallelonga, Don DiPetta, Jenna Laurenzo, Suehyla El-Attar

Tony Lip – aka Frank Anthony Vallelonga – spent 12 years in the acclaimed nightclub Copacabana in New York in the 1950s and 1960s, hosting celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin. With such a well-known circle of friends, it is not surprising that he eventually rolled into the film world. He played tiny roles, but in such classics as ‘The Godfather’, ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (both 1975), ‘Raging Bull’ (1980), ‘Goodfellas’ (1990) and ‘Donnie Brasco’ (1997). His biggest role was as mobster boss Carmine Lupertazzi in the legendary TV series ‘The Sopranos’. He got his nickname ‘The Lip’ for two reasons; on the one hand, he always knew what to say to get someone to do something, on the other, hardly a moment passed without him shoving something to eat. Because food, Lips, who died in 2013, loved it. It was not without reason that he published a book with a collection of his favorite family recipes, and persuaded other Italian-American actors such as Danny Aiello and James Gandolfini to contribute to his book as well. This Tony Lip is the central character in the movie ‘Green Book’ (2018). Even before becoming an actor, at a time when the Copacabana was closed for renovations, Lip took on a trucking job that would change his life forever.

In ‘Green Book’, Viggo Mortensen plays Tony Lip, a rather maladjusted type with a small heart. Immediately in the first scene we see that he doesn’t bother to wave his hands if necessary, because an uninvited guest is kicked out of the Copacabana. When the club closes for three months, Tony has to find a temporary job. Because of course he can’t let his wife Dolores (Linda Cardellini) and two growing sons down. The mob bosses in New York could really use him, but Tony prefers to look for a bona fide job. Then he stumbles upon the ad from Dr. Shirley, who is looking for a reliable driver for eight weeks. That seems like something to him. However, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) turns out not to be a doctor in the medical sense of the word, but a gifted concert pianist, and African American as well. He is going on a tour through the south of the US – which in 1962 is heavily burdened by racism – and is looking for someone who can drive him from one concert hall to another. Tony has quite a few prejudices about African Americans, but is fascinated by Shirley and in desperate need of the money, so the two go on a road trip across the US. Shirley turns out to be not only a virtuoso on the piano, but also eloquent, intelligent and very cultured; actually he’s the complete opposite of Tony. Both men appear to have quite a few prejudices about each other, but by spending time together they get to know each other better and an unlikely friendship develops. Tony also discovers what it’s like for Shirley as a black man in the racism-ridden South, where the rich whites pay big bucks to watch Shirley play, but then deny him access to their restaurants, locker rooms and restrooms.

‘Green Book’, after the booklet that existed at the time that described where in the south of the US you were allowed to go as a black person, was directed by Peter Farrelly, who is best known for the series of comedies he made with his brother Bobby. (including 1994’s ‘Dumb and Dumber’, ‘Kingpin’ from 1996 and ‘There’s Something about Mary’ from 1998). We don’t directly associate his name with awards and nominations, but with ‘Green Book’ Farrelly has delivered a potential Oscar winner. The film is in the running for no fewer than five Academy Awards (for both lead actors, original screenplay, editing and best picture) and has already won several other prestigious awards, including three Golden Globes. For ‘Green Book’ Farrelly worked closely with close relatives of Tony Lip, including his sons Nick and Frank. The film lightly touches on themes such as prejudice, racism and friendship and does so with a lot of humor. Viggo Mortensen put on quite a few pounds for the role and shows himself here in a way we rarely see from him. As soon as he opens his mouth, and every time he puts something to eat in it again, he has the laughs on his hand. Yet Mortensen manages to prevent Tony Lip from becoming a caricature. His character has integrity enough to forgive even the most politically incorrect comments. Mortensen gets great backlash from Mahershala Ali, who kills Dr. Shirley slowly but surely thaws and eventually becomes the emotional center of this film with a short but powerful monologue drenched in despair and frustration.

Because as hilarious as Tony’s binges are—hot dog eating contests, pizzas folded in half, buckets full of fried chicken—this movie also has a serious side. And that extra layer gives ‘Green Book’ the much-needed depth. Although Farrelly stays safely within the lines and he wants to keep his film attractive for the widest possible audience. The film is carried by the two very strong protagonists, who have great dynamics. Both Mortensen and Ali get the space to shine. Of course, ‘Green Book’ follows the beaten track and it could have been a bit sharper and more layered. But it is by no means as sweet as the thematically closely related ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ (1989). ‘Green Book’ is above all a heartwarming feel-good film that will make even the biggest cynic leave the cinema with a smile. A friend to everyone who could very well take off with the necessary Oscars.