Green Book reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews Green Book. Bar bouncer and general odd-job man Tony Lip becomes the driver for renowned pianist Dr. Don Shirley as he embarks on a tour of the South in 1960s America.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
If you like this, why not subscribe to our podcast for more reviews, interviews and general wittering of the highest order: www.bbc.co.uk/...
Twitter: @Wittertainment
www.bbc.co.uk/5...
Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live.

[@JonnyOrr]

I honestly found Green Book to be one of my favourite films of the year. Thoroughly enjoyed it the whole way through and spent the last 30+ minutes worrying that it was going to end. I cannot recommend this film enough. I shed a tear at the end, no spoilers, but the combination of Nat King Cole’s voice and the love displayed all round made me seriously emotional.

[@caitlinbrennan9039]

Jonny Orr 🙄🙄🙄

[@JDobbsy79]

Caitlin Brennan 🙄🙄🙄

[@JDobbsy79]

Jonny Orr completely agree!

[@benjadamon]

Spot on review. Not at all my favorite movie either, but Viggo and Mahershala played brilliantly.

[@tamnightingale6636]

Is it just me or do these two have the best banter? I hope they stay a double act forever. As we say in Greece, "χρόνια πολλά "

[@thunderlipz]

Mayo...you need to revive Film 2019 on BBC ;) . If there’s anyone who could fill Barry Norman’s shoes, it’s you. Oh yeah they gotta keep that theme tune for sure ;)

[@MithraAnahita]

Man not every film about America’s past racism has to be as depressing and hard to watch as 12 years a slave. This film was about a racist individual who after hanging out with someone he thought he’d dislike, realises his prejudice and embraces learning from a brilliant man. It shows that people can change if only they were willing to sit down and hang out with those they seem to hate for no reason other than their skin colour or culture or religion. That’s what I took from the film and I think that was the intended message.

[@ellamone9998]

Exactly well put, I just made a similar comment on another thread up here and agree 100%. They both learned from each other and are better for it. This story was better to me than the Green Mile. It felt real.

[@SteveWilsonMindoroLimited]

It was a (racist) white guy teaching a black guy about black culture. A ridiculous proposition.

[@jasoncha1973facup]

But it is not based on the truth.

[@CarlosHernandez-zf8vm]

“I’m not a racist cause I have black friends” great argument

[@william-uk]

@@jasoncha1973facup Well it demonstrably *is*, but with the usual application of creative license to make it an engaging story that can be told in an hour or two, hardly uncommon in movies about anything.

[@lisalobes32]

It reminded me a great deal of the help, obviously the time period and some of the subject matter but also the performances being far better than the film itself. Also the fluffy, pastel, nostalgia porn display of the 60s.

[@feliciabarker9210]

I'm still baffled that one of the Farrelly brothers made this. Such a massive change of style that doesn't seem like it was foreshadow in previous stuff at all?

[@feliciabarker9210]

@@gwasgray9309 True! I guess it's actually a change of subject matter rather than style!

[@65g4]

I saw this film with a big crowd last year for an advanced screening and everybody loved it. I really loved it i personally wanted Roma to win best picture but didnt mind Green Book winning.

[@solomonmartinez1143]

Love this film!

[@devastated_studios]

R2-Q5 Reviews Green Book: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJTPlKWdr96WfMU

[@carrielcarll]

To be honest, if I gotta pick the best picture, it probably would be Green Book. This film made so happy and warm every time I saw it. And I think that means something. I mean, Roma was good. The Favourite was very well-crafted. But still...

[@henryglennon3864]

Viggo Mortensen IS Robert DeNiro IN Green Book!

[@ellamone9998]

Or a Joe Pesce teddy bear version :)

[@richieprimoretro]

I really hope you're not referring to the 'I'll do it strictly for the paycheck' DeNiro of the past 20 years or so... because I like Viggio and wanted badly to see this flick

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Wish he had gone full Taxi Driver at the End. Dreadful performance, dreadful film.

[@caitlinbrennan9039]

That’s offensive to Bob

[@fergoico7774]

Love the review, but what happen to HD content.

[@theboss297]

Is kermode pronounced: -"ker-mode-e" -ker-mode"

[@froggreen2067]

Karl Marx no no, it is Ker-mit

[@theboss297]

@@froggreen2067 much appreciated Darling

[@PicturesJester]

close enough, it's Ker-maude

[@TheFleetflyer]

You may ask that but I ask why Mark Luxury-yacht can't pronounce 'erudite', pronouncing it 'eryudite' instead?

[@bravovince3070]

The second one.

[@anthonymartensen3164]

Cool movie 👌

[@Casablumpkin01]

While there’s a clear parallel between Driving Miss Daisy and Green Book, I feel the latter set itself apart by magnifying the insecurities the two characters faced within the maelstrom of racial strife far more effectively.

[@nonsequitor]

FOCUS!

[@jonathanthorpe3037]

This is the best film I have seen in a very long time. I've seen all the best picture contenders now and there should be no competition. Go and see it if you haven't.

[@Skidoo22]

Its a great film let down by a corny ending.

[@davidmitchell-baker1701]

Good performances but man was this so regressive in its discussions on and depictions of race, felt like it belonged back in the 80s, it’s so vanilla in comparison to the amazing films from 2018 (BlacKkKlansman, Blindspotting, The Hate U Give) that focus on race.

[@One21Jiggawatts]

Blackkklansman was the worst mainstream film I’ve seen in years. The female stereotypes were insulting and it was clearly written for a modern audience.

[@davidmitchell-baker1701]

@@One21Jiggawatts "it was clearly written for a modern audience".... ...that's the point of the whole damn movie, did you not see the ending?

[@vaporwave4880]

It's a movie that says race shouldn't matter, we're all human, let's get along. I don't want to live in a world in which that message is considered 'regressive'.

[@garyhosty]

It was set in the 60s. Beautiful film.

[@calvinlaw7790]

Agreed, particularly painful when contrasted against Blindspotting, which takes on actually kind of similar intentions in its pairing of characters, but handles the racial issues with so much more nuance and insight.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

The Worst Best Picture Winner in my lifetime. And I am 103. The music was very good the only good thing about the movie. Ali was ok, Mortensen was embarrassing. Rubbish.

[@Jake-bk5uk]

Your not 103

[@GT-wo2oj]

First!

[@riderbull5178]

Stop

[@jasongoodacre]

If there are no films directed by Women that are nominated, maybe they are not good enough?? That's equality when you don't consider gender or race when giving out awards. Am I wrong ????

[@mindfuldrone]

You aren't wrong. But the use of multiple question marks makes you sound more loony than necessary.

[@jasongoodacre]

@@mindfuldrone Yeah I apologize I must have had an off moment. Lol

[@freddylubin]

Too predictable, not funny when it tried to be, and I wish I'd understood Dr. Shirley better. Other than that, passible entertainment. Yeah, and Mortensen's accent was horrible.

[@freddylubin]

@@gwasgray9309 I didn't fully understand his motivation, especially concerning his music. There was one short conversation, more for us than for the characters, but it wasn't enough. I DID "understand" him, from what was on the page, but not on the screen.

[@mindfuldrone]

Maybe you are just a shallow person?

[@freddylubin]

@@mindfuldrone Wonderfully bright and insightful response to someone with whom you don't agree. I guess you really got me.

[@nataszarozycka6399]

The amount of political correctness in this film makes me sick. It should have been called The Little Red Book cause it is just a vulgar propaganda. And even good performances will not save it.

[@TheQeltar]

As far as I know the movie doesn't advocate for communism, would have made for a more interesting movie tho lol

[@andrzejrozycki8272]

It is not the content but the strategy that matters.

[@amyclarke41]

i found it sad tbh these things happended and shouldn't have 😁

[@BT-kc3ee]

There is no propaganda in the film. Its a buddy movie that happens to contain a black man

[@spennybullen2178]

I caught this film this week and have to say the interplay between the co-stars (and yep, I came away going "best SUPPORTING nomination?") was excellent. It is a film I can only recommend.

[@judcrandall3170]

I wouldnt say they are 'both the same'. Yes, its a duo act but Viggo is clearly more of the main character even though its pretty close. It starts off with Tony and his family and we dont even get to see Ali until after 15 minutes in

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

Loved the performances! Mortensen and Ali are geniuses.

[@Gnator8t4]

Saw this on Wednesday. I found it to be really good (mainly thanks to the performances), but I feel like it would've been a much better film had the focus been more on Shirley (I disagree with Simon and Mark's point, Mahershala Ali definitely felt like the supporting actor when compared to Viggo Mortenson) , as certain parts lacked the intended impact because of that for me

[@carrielcarll]

I‘ve read about it once that the studio consulted with Ali first, he agreed and then campaigned him as the supporting actor. When I first saw this film I honestly did think Viggo got a better shot. He was just so amazing. Perhaps if he went for the supporting actor it could have been his cuz the leading race already has less to offer- it’s either Bale or Rami Malek

[@william-uk]

Viggo also gets the greater number of lines and screen time, and, as you suggest, the primary focus was Tony's "journey". I'm of a view the leading/supporting actor categories in film awards aren't especially helpful anyway - all they tend to do is cause unnecessary arguments/division, clearly they played brilliantly off each other (Linda Cardellini was good too).

[@StefanWB]

Saw this with my dad on Tuesday at Dulwich Picturehouse and absolutely loved it. Everyone in the screening was laughing, my dad and I were toe-tapping to the fantastic music, I had a big grin on my face for most of the film, really really enjoyed it. I think some of the awards buzz and the potential weightiness of the subject matter in the current climate has maybe done the film a disservice in the eyes of some critics. I think it has a very typical comedy formula and moves like a comedy and is carried by comedic performances, but I haven't heard people talking about it as a comedy, which I think it is. Yes, there are scenes with emotional impact and it is a story that shows sinister and upsetting aspects of what life is like for Shirley, but I don't think it should be marked down for being sentimental and not hitting quite as hard as other films that are about race in America. If you see it more as a smart comedy, rather than a dumbed-down drama, I think it makes more sense. The things that I think are smart about the film are just how much Viggo is playing a stereotype of a New York Italian, and how much Ali is subverting the typical stereotypical African American performer by not being Little Richard. I think the dichotomy between the characters isn't just about race but absolutely also about class, and I'm a little surprised that this isn't something that the good doctor Kermode thought to bring up; Viggo plays a grifter who lives hand to mouth, and Ali was privileged with an outstanding musical education. And that makes it all the more impactful when they get to the South and the crass, low-brow Tony is treated with gentile Southern hospitality and Shirley is greeted with contempt and dehumanisation. And then you have the really sinister contrast between how Shirley is treated by the country club rich white assholes, who fawn over his talent and the fact that he's met the president but won't let him use their bathroom because of the colour of his skin. No, it's not the best film of the year (Roma should win best picture, not that the Oscars actually matter). And yes, it is carried by two magnificent performances and maybe wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful without Mortenson and Ali doing the absolute best that could be done with the material. But I think the film deserves a bit more credit than Kermode, who I usually agree with, gives it here.

[@stefanfilipovits21]

Glory is such a powerful film. The final battle where the 54th storms Ft. Wagner in a fury after seeing their commanding officer die despite knowing they’ll probably fail is so powerful. It really is a great film and deserved way more acclaim than it got when it came out.

[@jd899]

Green Book was the surprise film at the LFF last year. It is a brilliant film about how two people develop a friendship and can help improve each other's lives. One of the best of the last few years.

[@caitlinbrennan9039]

jd899 but it’s fame

[@caitlinbrennan9039]

But it’s fake read shirleys familys views

[@65g4]

Ha not even the best Morgan Freeman movie that week. Yes Glory was a great movie far better than Driving Miss Daisy

[@TheNinjaMarmot]

I watched it. I really enjoyed it. Made me feel good and warm inside while the world was raining outside.

[@caitlinbrennan9039]

TheNinjaMarmot but is that what’s needed about race nowadays. Blackkklansman was meh but far more interesting. Widows was phenomenal, if beale street could talk, moonlight super interesting etc.

[@OronOfMontreal]

I love, love LOVE this movie. One of the producers is Jeff Skoll, founder of Participant Media and the first president of eBay. And, I am proud to say, a childhood friend of mine in Montreal. Jeff done good, eh?!

[@rhyslloyd3200]

Watched this today. I LOVED it.

[@dorsetyid1969]

So refreshing my favourite film this year

[@stewmott3763]

A fun knockabout comedy, the funniest part of which is its conviction that it has anything remotely helpful to say about racism.

[@InsertProfileName]

There’s a boxing analogy that someone else could make here about weight classes: The producers are aware that Mahershala Ali would have a decent, but tricky route to a Best Actor rather than a surer route to Best Supporting Actor. That nomination is a cynical hedging of a bet.

[@jamesshelley7432]

Seeing this movie with a packed theater was a great experience

[@Mr.A_LDN]

Saw it yesterday and absolutely loved it. In fact,the whole audience clapped at the end!

[@danielmannandersen2332]

Peter Farrely wasnt nominated for an oscar in the best directing category and statistically a movie doesnt win the oscar for best picture, when the director is not nominated. I agree it doesnt deserve a best picture, but it's got good chances in the acting department

[@caitlinbrennan9039]

pcm sgdanny well it did haha

[@danielmannandersen2332]

@@caitlinbrennan9039 yeah only the 5th movie ever to that in Oscar history. Would've made a good bet :)

[@robertwilson214]

Mortensen was a bigger star at the time,you petrified thought police. If Denzel washington had been in it,he would have star billing above mortensen.

[@amanforalltheseasons]

Watched it last night with my wife and we both fell for the warmth and depth of relationship between the two characters. 100% agree with MK on that this is an actor's movie ⭐⭐⭐⭐ do yourself a favour and watch it as soon as you can!

[@amyclarke41]

G gf wbf 19 😀sadii v t d m

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

Everything Friedkin says makes me lose respect for Friedkin

[@streetstruck8951]

I watched this before it was even made. Great film.

[@styxcreek]

Mayo doesn’t like him thanking that coffee guy!

[@leeeeigh796]

Second. Really want to see this one

[@matangox]

The best films of the year are Shoplifters and Burning.

[@tonybennett4159]

An enjoyable film, but rather too predictable in the events that unfold. Great acting, but far from the best film of the year.

[@mindfuldrone]

An enjoyable comment, but rather too predictable. Great spelling, but far from the best comment on this thread.

[@smartprick.7374]

It's lack of tackling the true horror of what happened in the time period isn't a fault. Far too many racial biopics can be too easily melancholic. This wasn't afraid to be tongue and cheek and focus on how the humanity of both of these characters is found from one another and changing their perspectives. It was genuinely charming, hilarious and one of the best films of the year even if it may not have been the best piece of 'film making'.

[@ggfffgggds]

Please review Serenity!

[@lfc7763]

He says the film has many problems but he explains nothing what they are. What a rubbish, useless review.

[@manea7074]

What problems is he talking about ?

[@glynndraper437]

Well said . Not as flawed as he says though , can't see the wood for the trees film critics.

[@mrpaxton9935]

A lot of criticism about this film relates effectively to it not being Twelve Years a Slave or something similar, it’s not trying to be that type of film. It’s closer to Planes, Trains and Automobiles as it’s a classic odd couple road movie, but with racism as it’s context. It’s not the greatest film ever but the two performances are superb. Kermode has got his review spot on unlike some of his more virtue signalling colleagues.

[@rolybling]

I disagree with Mark here, I loved the film and had to watch it several times it was that good. Great, great performances by both leading actors.

[@ResevoirGod]

Mark saying that the family's objections to their relationship had "merit" is nonsense. There's plenty of proof that they were friends. Sounds like bitterness because they were never involved.

[@2006travers]

Why does Kermode always waffle on for 10 minutes when all i want to know is is it good and should i go watch it or no?.Take 3 minutes tops.

[@kmanpilkers]

Because he's a film critic giving his own subjective view on films. It takes time to explain how you feel about a film. Just because he thinks something's good, doesn't mean you will think it's good. His job is to give an interesting opinion, and indicate how *he* feels about the movie - nothing more, nothing less. If you want to know if something's good, go and see for yourself!

[@gorgeous61]

Way better than If Beale Street Could Talk.

[@TheDoh60]

Thete are no problems with this film mr. Kermode.

[@leilanecozzi]

GB is a beautiful film about a life long friendship between two people from complete different worlds. It is NOT about racism and it was never meant to be. It shows clearly that no matter how different we all are we're all the same. It's a true story and they showed exactly how it happend. Outstanding performances, amazing screenplay and a fantastic soundtrack. #GreenBookOscarWinner

[@Jaypact1]

Cliche - The Film. Gobsmacked at how the masses see this as anything more than average.

[@mindfuldrone]

Oh, if only everyone had your brilliance and insight. But then, you wouldn't have the feeling of superiority that gets you up in the morning? So, maybe you should be grateful?

[@suckzinclee]

Did nobody else find this incredibly glib and dishonest?

[@suckzinclee]

@@gwasgray9309 Oh, the film.

[@redpillbdsmart6919]

Driving miss Daisey is great movie Kemrode is a intellectual snobb, j listen to him because if he dosent like a movie, j know thath it is great! Green book is also great!