Green Book2018

“Because you can do better.” I think the whole movie is summarized in this simple yet universally applicable statement. We can all do better, whether it be in our communication, or our treatment & respect of others. Green Book at its core shows us two people among many others who resisted change amidst their existing comfort. The film expertly captures the organic and historic improvements in these two men’s lives as their close proximity helps to build bridges over their rivers of difference. Viggo Mortensen is unrecognizable, but right in his sauce as the street-wise, full-blooded Italian, and Maharshala Ali expertly portrays the unapparently complex virtuoso who was driven to use his talent to change hearts, even while his own required it. A harrowing joy from start to finish, Green Book is one that doesn’t let you stop in the middle, but keeps you mesmerized until the very end.