Green Book * * * *

Catch a ride with these guys.  

         Have you noticed there has been a lot of "racial awareness" films lately: and each film seems to cop as much condemnation as it does praise? 
         It seems that for some observers, films which show the mistreatment of African-Americans and the prejudices which they have had to endue are often regarded as nothing more than a compromised apology, which is too little too late.
         Nearly always featuring a white star along with the black main character,  these well meaning films on unacknowledged African Americans are frequently called out as being part of the problem.
        What can you do?
         I know what I'm going to do - be a cop-out and stay away from the whole debate.
         Green Book is loosely based on Don Shirley who was a musician of extraordinary virtuosity. If nothing else I am sure Green Book will always be fondly remembered for turning so many people on to Don Shirley's fine music.
         Don Shirley played music which was a beautiful synthesis of classical and jazz.  He was also a genius.  Before he was thirty he had already earned three doctorates in three different disciplines.  He was quite an eccentric person who lived in a grandly decorated apartment above Carnegie Hall.  One day he got it into his head that he would like to take his music down South even though he was aware that his colour would be seen before his music was heard.  Nevertheless there were enough sponsors to make it worth his while.  However, he was no fool and realised that a driver who was also adept at protecting him might be a prudent choice.  Thus he chose a bouncer from a New York club - Tony Lip.  Their personalities and cultural background were laughably mismatched, yet they came to know and understand each other.
           Green Book is essentially a road movie, and like all Road Movies it's ultimately about the journey the characters take inside themselves.
           It's a beautifully choreographed film, with well developed characters who are finely acted by Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortenson
         Politics aside, I know I like a good story well told, and I appreciate a positive message; I also like to see fine acting and on those scores Green Book delivers very well.