Green Book (2018): "Not all smiles, but it is all heart."

In Review...

Film: Green Book (2018).

Other Sites' Ratings: 82% Rotten Tomatoes, 70% Metacritic, 8.3/10 IMDb.

Key Names: Peter Farrelly - Director & Co-Writer, Nick Vallelonga - Producer & Co-Writer, Kris Bowers - Music, Viggo Mortensen - Tony Lip, Mahershala Ali - Don Shirley.

Standout Performance: Mahershala Ali - Don Shirley.

Giggle Critic Rating: ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧ 8/10

Script: ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧ 8/10

Delivery: ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧ 9/10

Cinematography: ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ 10/10

Themes & Commentary: ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ 10/10

Notes:

Green Book was a most excellent film that reminded me of the value of comedy. In this exploration of identity, friendship and belonging, humour is used to relieve the tension that too often inhibits discussion of the topics therein. It shows us that in the darkest of circumstances, comedy is a guiding light to be followed. In Green Book, that light shines just bright enough to illuminate a mirror through which we are asked to evaluate ourselves and the world to enact change.

Farrelly, with co-writers Nick Vallelonga and Brian Currie, has delivered an extraordinary film with Green Book, receiving Golden Globes for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture and Best Picture - Musical or Comedy (full list of Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA and Academy Awards nominations below).

The script was marvellously effective, falling just short of a 10-star rating due to a couple of cheap shots at the drama. Mortensen and Ali displayed excellent screen chemistry, with a standout performance from Ali, who has thus far been smothered with awards and is a favourite for more. Despite being credited as a 'Supporting Actor', Ali is the film's crown jewel. With every move, flinch, word and inflection, he wraps himself around every facet of Don Shirley - from the rich and stoic musician to the dignified vulnerability.

The extensive two-way dialogue presented a cinematographic challenge that was marvellously combatted - not just through camera work but through the score by Kris Bowers, diverse settings and extraordinary editing.

Green Book very clearly has something to say about racism in the 1960s, but it truly excels in its commentary on the prejudice still experienced by people of colour today and how we can all do better to enact change. The film is also an inspiring tale of love, family and friendship, and how community, culture and identity are integral to one's sense of belonging.

The overall Giggle Critic Rating is a measure of how all of these metrics contribute to the overall delivery of comedy in the film. The humour is used as a tool more than anything - it relieves tension and builds affection for the characters, rather than being front and centre. Humour is delivered in sporadic jokes from the characters and is very good, but at its core, this film is a drama. For these reasons, it has earnt 8/10 stars.

All in all, Green Book is well worth seeing before it leaves cinemas and even beyond. Do not go in expecting 2 hours and 10 minutes of belly-aching laughs, but do expect a humorous story about friendship, dignity, identity, and community. It's not all smiles, but it is all heart.

Thank you so much for reading my post this month. It's not the analytical essay I promised but it is much more in line with my intentions for this blog. It would mean so much if you shared this post and followed me on Twitter (@JaymzCritic). Until next month, here is the aforementioned list of major award nominations this wonderful film has received at the time of publishing. Please subscribe!

Academy Awards Nominations (Not Yet Presented):

Best Motion Picture: Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Viggo Mortensen.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Mahershala Ali.

Best Original Screenplay: Nick Vallelonga, Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly.

Best Achievement in Film Editing: Patrick J. Don Vito.

Golden Globes Nominations:

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Green Book (Winner).

Best Director - Motion Picture: Peter Farrelly.

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Nick Vallelonga, Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly (Winners).

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Viggo Mortensen.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Mahershala Ali (Winner).

BAFTA Awards Nominations (Not Yet Presented):

Best Film: Jim Burke, Brian Hayes, Peter Farrelly, Charles B. Wessler, Nick Vallelonga.

Best Screenplay (Original): Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga.

Best Leading Actor: Viggo Mortensen.

Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali.

Screen Actors Guild Awards:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Viggo Mortensen.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Mahershala Ali (Winner).