Green Book — Movie Review
Overview
The Green Book is about tough guy and proud bull-shitter Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) serving as the driver and bodyguard for famous pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali). Don Shirley is a black man in 1962, who is giving a concert tour through the Deep South with his band the Don Shirley Trio. It’s a time of lawful racism and segregation in the United States, and the Deep South is especially condescending and hateful towards people of color. Don Shirley hires a bodyguard and mediator acting as his driver — Tony Lip, who is a white man, and thus accepted in the south.
Diversity
The film is intriguing, but somewhat manipulative in terms of diversity. The twist, however, may not be such a bad thing in the end, and could potentially have helpful implications. Whether this was intended or not by the director, I’m not quite sure. Also, not sure others may feel the same way.
The film is created from a white person’s perspective, which comes naturally since the director and entire cast is white, except for Mahershala Ali. The white lens and filter comes through clearly for the audience as such. It was quite cringe-worthy at first for someone who is sensitive to this dynamic. The central focus and protagonist for the first half of the movie was clearly Tony, while Don Shirley served to support Tony’s character. Considering how the driver was hired to serve his boss, the pianist — the story is quite manipulative in that it somehow had the boss — the pianist (black guy) — supporting the driver (white guy). It’s the common pattern of the white guy saying something interesting or ridiculous, and the black guy admiring the white guy for being so interesting or ridiculous.
Although the pattern was pretty aggravating at first since it happens in so many films, in the end, it may have not been such a bad thing. Again, not sure if the director has such an intentional and altruistic plan — but perhaps the story eased the viewer into identifying with the black man. The first half of the movie pulled the average white American into the film with something they were comfortable with — a white guy being the lead protagonist. The film then gradually shifted the focus and empathy towards the black man — Don Shirley. Slowly, the film started showing more vulnerability and humanity of Don Shirley. He made mistakes, had regrets, cried, and subsequently made amends, gathered courage, and healed. Towards the second half of the movie, it was the white man admiring the black man for being interesting or ridiculous. This was a surprise, as this dynamic doesn’t often happen.
I’m glad I stayed until the end of the film to see this transition happen. Who knows, maybe the director did intend to have an altruistic plan. Overall it was an enjoyable film that was decently moving.
Diversity Score: I give the film at score of +3. It did ok bringing together different races through a good story.
Review by Cathy Yee of Incluvie
Incluvie rating where +5 celebrates diversity, 0 ignores diversity, and -5 is hateful towards diversity
