[Review] Green Book: Can We Have More Mahershala Ali?

Green Book recently won Best Musical or Comedy Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes, making it a strong contender for the upcoming Oscars. What makes this film so exceptional?

Many of us have seen road trip movies where protagonists encounter unforgettable, even life-changing, experiences. Green Book, set in 1962, follows Tony (played by Viggo Mortensen), a white bouncer, as he chauffeurs African-American classical pianist Dr. Don Shirley (played by Mahershala Ali) on a concert tour. Unlike typical road trip films, the "road" in this movie carries profound significance: as they journey south into the United States, the racial discrimination they face intensifies, and Dr. Don Shirley's situation becomes increasingly dire, even dangerous. The issue of race in America and the disparate treatment of Black people in different regions have been explored in countless films and series, so international audiences are likely familiar with these themes. Therefore, at the beginning of the film, when introducing this journey, it doesn't explicitly highlight its unique nature. Instead, it subtly conveys it through a small green book, Tony's surprise, and Dr. Don Shirley's silence. The contrast in Tony's and Dr. Don Shirley's reactions particularly underscores the film's theme: traditional white individuals could fundamentally not comprehend the suffering of Black people in America, and Black people could only face such unfair treatment in silence. Even when Tony points out his own poverty, suggesting his life isn't much better than Dr. Don Shirley's, his skin color at least grants him immense freedom and upward mobility; he can work to improve his living conditions. However, Dr. Don Shirley, as a Black man, no matter how outstanding he is or how much his talent is adored by high society, his skin color condemns him to an unfair existence, something he cannot personally change.

This film is based on a true story, and the character of Dr. Don Shirley is particularly unique. As a Black man, he endures the same discrimination and unequal treatment from white people. Yet, he is relatively wealthy among Black people, a Black man living in high society, and thus his living conditions are far better than most. His performances for high-society white audiences and the music he plays could lead him to be seen as a traitor by other Black people. In reality, Dr. Don Shirley could have remained in his original city, enjoying a more stable and comfortable life. However, he chose to tour the South, aiming to change hearts and remove white prejudices against Black people through his actions. This required immense courage, even plunging him into hardship and danger. From the film's perspective, Dr. Don Shirley's plan doesn't seem to have fully succeeded; no matter how much those high-society white people appreciated his talent, he was still considered inferior in their eyes, unworthy of using the same restroom or dining in the same restaurant. However, he undeniably changed Tony throughout the film, leading to a hopeful and heartwarming ending for the movie.

Green Book is primarily a comedy, deriving much of its humor from the contrast between Tony's brashness and Dr. Don Shirley's reserved nature. Dr. Don Shirley, highly accomplished in literature and music, helps Tony write letters, transforming him into a more thoughtful and gentle man, repairing his relationship with his wife. On the other hand, Tony tries to melt Dr. Don Shirley's lonely heart with his warmth, and his actions at the end deeply move Dr. Don Shirley. The film discusses racial issues but generally maintains a lighthearted tone, culminating in a hopeful ending, which audiences likely enjoy, explaining why the film won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy and is a strong contender for the Oscars.

However, Dr. Don Shirley, as an extremely talented musician in high society, was in a relatively better position among Black people at the time; countless others faced far greater oppression. Even today, discrimination against Black people and other races remains prevalent, with many suffering harm and losing their lives due to their skin color. As Dr. Don Shirley says in the film, we need courage to change hearts. I believe "hearts" here refers not only to others but also to ourselves. We need even more courage to take that first step, to set aside prejudices, and to accept those who are different. "Different" here doesn't just mean people of different races or skin colors, but also those with different opinions and perspectives. Even if we can't agree with others' views, we can, as Dr. Don Shirley demonstrates in the film, maintain our dignity and show mutual respect.

Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali portray Tony and Dr. Don Shirley, respectively, and their performances and chemistry are the film's greatest strengths, explaining why they are considered strong contenders for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars. Personally, I wished to see more of Mahershala Ali's screen time. Throughout the film, Tony is the protagonist, undergoing significant transformation during the journey, while Dr. Don Shirley serves as the catalyst for that change. While Tony's character is crucial to the film's comedic tone, Dr. Don Shirley's character is more nuanced and deeply connected to the film's themes. Furthermore, Mahershala Ali's performance is truly exceptional; his tone, expressions, and gestures in his very first scene instantly convey the character's personality, a testament to his remarkable acting. Compared to Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali's role offers greater scope for emotional depth. The scene where he breaks down in the rain is truly heartbreaking, evoking deep sympathy for his plight. What left the deepest impression on me was a moment during the journey when he saw a group of impoverished Black people engaged in hard labor; his gaze alone spoke volumes. Dr. Don Shirley's journey, besides aiming to change hearts, was also about confronting his own Black identity, trying to understand the circumstances of his brothers and sisters' lives, which also required immense courage. After watching the entire film, I truly don't understand why Mahershala Ali couldn't have been the protagonist. I firmly believe that if he were to contend for Best Actor at the Oscars, his outstanding performance would absolutely deserve to win.