Green Book

2018 movie inspired by a true story

Rating: 14/20

Plot: A streetwise Italian-American in New York agrees to transport a black virtuoso pianist to his concert dates in the deep South despite being a little racist.

Wait a second. That was Viggo Mortensen?

Mortensen acts less than he just wears this character of Tony Lip. The character is more consistent than it seemed halfway through this, one who's admirable because he's got street smarts and convictions. More than usual with these period New York tough guys, I enjoyed spending this much time with the character.

This movie's got narrative issues, but it's filled with a lot of nice little moments, some a lot more artificially sweetened than others. I laughed a little, was touched a little, and felt a little anxious for these characters during a few scenes. The building friendship between these two men is endearing. The period details are great, even if everything appears a little too glossy.

As an entertainment, it works, but if director Peter Farrelly (Wait a second. This was a Farrelly movie?) wanted to make a statement about racism or Civil Rights or healing or poverty or anything else, it's not really effective. The film's more effective as a story about a white guy being a big hero which I wasn't all that interested in to be honest.

Still, this is a likable enough movie, and that's despite a deflating punchline of an ending.