Green Book

Green Book is a true story about two individuals who walk completely different lives going on a road trip that will change them forever. Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) is a rogue, talented bullshitter with obvious aversion towards the colored. He gambles, robs, judges; basically a man with low honor. Regardless, he is a good person, or at least has the potential to be good or better - a point anchored strongly through his interactions with wife Dolores (Linda Cardellini) and kids. So imagine how exciting it would be to pair a character like this with an informed, cultured, high and mighty Black musician boss whom he has to be a servant for 8 weeks?! Thinking about the drastic contrast between these two characters and the available reservoir of conflict juice itself is immensely exhilarating!

The greatest praise for the movie belongs to the writing. Almost every scene is clear and steady. Since the scenes were simple, easy and layman-ish, the screenplay automatically became interesting as it's relatable! Rock stealing, Kentucky Fried Chicken and the climax restaurant sequences were among the highlights! With no forced expositions, vivid plot and homespun dialogues, Green Book was a light breeze to follow through!

Coming back to the characters, Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali disappeared into the skins of Tony Vallelonga and Don Shirley respectively! It was not only one specific thing each learnt from the other. While Tony grasped how to be softer, write proper letters, control temper and have a moral compass, Don acquired insight on the importance of companionship, to not be uptight and let go, to enjoy while performing on the piano and that too, for his own people. Both of them returned home transformed, while having their best traits retained. This is without a doubt, one of cinema's most heartwarming relationships and expertly crafted character arcs!