Review: Green Book - Charming sentimental tale filled with excellent performances

Those familiar with the works of Peter Farrelly will know of his genius in the field of cinematic comedy with the likes of Dumb and Dumber and There's Something about Mary still celebrated and viewed as the last period of film with any consistent (and more importantly - funny!) comedic elements.
This weeks movie review sees Farrelly not unlike last weeks director Adam McKay change genre with Green Book, a heartfelt true story that has been lauded by critics and is currently featuring heavily in award nominations.
Green Book tells the true story of  Tony Lip (played by Viggo Mortensen),  a bouncer from an Italian-American neighbourhood in the Bronx, who is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South. Confronted with racism, constant danger, as well as unexpected humanity and humour, they are forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot of negativity surrounding this movie, with the accuracy of events questioned, the over sentimentality attached and also implausible and insensitive manner in which the subject matter is handled throughout.
Green Book is also however, a charming road trip movie with two outstanding lead performances with more than a throwback to the great travel tales of the 80's such as Rain Man, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Driving Miss Daisy evident.
A feel good bromance of epic proportions, this Oscar nominated film is touching, charming and at times very funny and a movie that will warm the hearts of all that take there seats at Tralee Omniplex to enjoy it!
Oscar nominations for both leads are well deserved and despite the measured and subtle performance of the talented Mahershala Ali, it is Viggo Mortensen that steals the show as the loud mouthed Tony Lip in a role that seems like he was born to play.
The chemistry between the two actors is a chief reason why this film soars higher than it potentially should and Farrelly's humane and comic touch will ensure that every cinema goer will walk out of Tralee Omniplex at the end of Green Book with a silly smile and a warm glow and despite all the negativity surrounding the film - isn't that what anyone wants from a trip to the movies?
✷✷✷✷