Living in Portugal has its advantages, but when it comes to movies, there are drawbacks. Tickets cost too much, there’s only one movie theater in my city (making IMAX or Dolby Atmos experiences a time-consuming and expensive endeavor), and films often arrive long after their initial release dates, particularly the November/December Oscar contenders. I just recently had the chance to see Green Book, and I regret not having reviewed it back in 2018 because this is without a doubt the best comedy-drama of last year and one of the very best overall! Peter Farrelly and his writing team (including Nick Vallelonga’s son) have delivered what I believe to be the finest screenplay of 2018, with help from a fantastic cast. I can't recall the last time I laughed so much while also being moved emotionally by a film. This comedy-drama took me on an unexpected emotional journey. I went in expecting strong performances and that’s all I wanted. Since 2019 has already begun, I’m watching these Oscar contenders with little hope of being truly impressed. Green Book completely caught me off guard. I honestly don't understand why everyone was so surprised when it won Best Screenplay at the Golden Globe Awards. The story is exceptionally well-crafted and full of insightful narratives about sensitive subjects. It develops the two main characters’ individual stories into subplots, showing them as entirely different people from beginning to end. It’s a very relevant film that illustrates how our world has changed and fought against racism and discrimination without ever becoming overly dark or boring. It isn't just another movie made solely to send a social message and pursue Oscar nominations; it’s a truly captivating story about how two men can change their perspective on race, or even the world itself, by simply spending time with another culture and setting aside preconceived notions. However, this well-structured, beautifully directed, and cleverly written film would only be “good” if not for the two incredible actors. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali have such great chemistry that I’d happily watch them on a car trip for two hours straight. Every scene in the car either produces moments of hilarious laughter or shifts dramatically into a more emotional tone, subtly addressing delicate topics. I knew Mortensen had a sense of humor, but this was unexpected! His timing, expressions, Italian accent, and body language are all perfect. He absolutely nailed his role, giving me the best experience I’ve had at a movie theater in quite some time, and his Oscar nomination is well-deserved. He made a 130-minute film feel like a short one. Ali isn't far behind. It might seem as though he's simply there to support Mortensen, given that the latter has a funnier role, but he does so much more than that. Because he brings the dramatic element to the story, his performance is more restrained during the first half of the film. But as Shirley and Tony Lip begin to connect, Ali gradually delivers increasingly impressive acting moments. He’s undeniably a supporting actor, but he is truly phenomenal! Linda Cardellini (Dolores Vallelonga), even though she's only on screen for a few minutes throughout the movie, also gives a strong performance. Tony Lip and Dr. Don Shirley have distinct personalities beyond their different races. Peter Farrelly brilliantly illustrates each character’s journey, showing how Tony and Don are changing their views of the world and of one another’s cultures. Whether through witty car sequences or unfortunate experiences, these two characters take the audience on a journey of growth—a change in behavior, mindset, and preconceived ideas by sharing their own culture with someone else. Even though they were born in different places and lived very different lives, they eventually start to realize that what they think about the world might not be entirely accurate. Technically, Farrelly controls the film's pace exceptionally well, making a two-hour movie feel like half as long. The tone is remarkably balanced, with some great cinematography in certain scenes. It’s consistently filmed and well edited, although there are minor issues with the latter. Nevertheless, this isn’t a film with extraordinary technical attributes, nor does it need them. Farrelly simply needed to do an adequate job with the production and filming of a standout screenplay to achieve a fantastic result, and that's exactly what he did. Regarding the controversy surrounding this movie... It’s easy to watch a film without being influenced by outside matters that have nothing to do with it. I don’t care if someone who worked on the film tweeted something wrong today or years ago. I don’t care if people misinterpret Viggo Mortensen's comments about racism. I don’t care if Don Shirley’s family doesn’t like how the movie portrays his life and personality. I don’t care if the story isn’t 100% true, as long as it succeeds in conveying its important message while being a good film. Please stop listening to everything everyone says about a movie or the people who made it, especially these days when creating chaos is so easy. Green Book surprised me completely and left me speechless at the end. It’s one of the best comedy-dramas I've seen in a long time, one of the best films of 2017, and by far the best original screenplay of the last year. Peter Farrelly and his co-writers delivered a seamless story filled with wonderful character arcs and an important message for audiences worldwide. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali give performances worthy of awards, particularly the former who showcases his incredible comedic timing and dramatic range. Still, the most compelling and emotional scenes come from Ali, and he shouldn’t be forgotten. I thought 2018 would be the first year without me giving an A+, but guess what... Rating: A+

Source on TMDB