And the Oscar returns to the end, the Oscar for Best Picture went to Green Book, an award that many had already anticipated and that seemed to be getting closer and closer when Rome won the statuette for best foreign film. Not everything would go to Cuarón, there had to be a cast and, in the end, Green Book was the winner in the main category.
A result that does not seem to have pleased many people who consider this price to probably be a bit expensive, however, it cannot be said to be a bad movie or not to achieve its goal.
- Green Book is politically correct and brings us something we’ve seen countless times in the movies.
- No.
- Green Book didn’t bring anything new.
- But he was able to tell it and delight viewers.
We all like to see stories that make us think, that the film plays with us, whatever our tastes, if we prefer a more fantastic or realistic drama, we want the film to surprise us, but it must be recognized that even the most rebellious The viewer of the world, from time to time, enjoys a light comedy or a story that will entertain him for an hour or two. Cinema is an art, but remember that it is also consumption and, of course, entertainment.
Green Book offers us a pleasant moment, shows us the cruelty of racism, but softened by the values of friendship. The duo formed by Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, the last Oscar for their portray of Don Shirley, works perfectly and offers us a wellness film that will make us smile several times.
Of course, if we want to start a thorough reflection, the Green Paper is not a good option; but it’s one of those movies you’d see on a gray, tedious day to relax or soften your life a little bit.
Green Book follows a true story as a starting point: the relationship between Tony Lip and Don Shirley. The first is an Italian-American resident of the Bronx; Of humble origin, he lives with his wife and two children. Tony loses his job and embarks on a new adventure, becoming the driver of Don Shirley, a black musician whom he will accompany on his next tour.
Shirley is a man who loves high culture. His status as a recognized musician gives him some difference with the rest of the black community; however, it is also not suitable for whites. Racism is so normalized that even your status can’t save you. Tony, on the other hand, is rude, but good connoisseur of another culture: the popular one.
The conflicts between the two will soon come, either because of their prejudices or because neither of us tries to break the mold in which they live. These two characters fit perfectly into the types, they’re not new characters as we see in other movies. But far from being boring and boring, they come to life thanks to the good work of the actors, becoming very human characters.
Black is rich and educated, while white goes through economic problems and acts with ignorance, although this ignorance is also relative, Tony knows things that Don ignores and vice versa, one thrives perfectly in educated and elitist environments, but the other knows how to drive on the street and daily.
Conflicts will soon arise for Shirley and will even occur in situations where she should be “the king. “The film is very clear about the message it intends to convey: not racism. With a good soundtrack and miles of roads and hotels separated by Racial Conditions, Green Book builds a moral story that conveys good vibes and good feelings.
Don and Tony will complement each other perfectly, overcome various adversities and comedy with a dramatic touch will take care of the rest. Yes, everything is very predictable, but Green Book is not trying to surprise anyone.
Both characters are very interesting and there is no doubt about the value of their performers. Thanks to them we have a history in which humanity has more weight than prejudice. The two have a lot to learn from each other, Shirley must put aside snobism. He wears it as a mask, while Tony will learn in many ways and walk away from prejudice.
What happens when racism is normalized and part of the institutions themselves?With a smile and not knowing that they are racist, people will adopt it as a way of life, as part of their values and culture.
shows us the most standardized face of racism in the 1960s in the United States. No one wondered why black people should stay in different hotels, why they couldn’t use the same bathroom as a white person, or why they couldn’t go to certain restaurants.
What if the in question were important?Because a will. Never be white and, if you approach it, you must constantly demonstrate your talent.
Don Shirley is paid to play at rich, educated and refined people’s events who can admire his talent, but it’s best that he doesn’t try to mingle with them beyond the exhibition.
It is the hypocrisy of the most educated, of those who claim to embrace differences, but they know that there is a limit that they will never be able to cross, it is these sages who criticize racism, machismo or homophobia, but who are also elitist and will not let their elite be threatened. And they will do it unconsciously, because this is considered normal and totally harmless. High culture, unfortunately, has always been somewhat elitist.
This elitism infected Don Shirley in his desire to stand out, to stop being black; even if at heart he is aware of his reality. On the other hand, Tony Lip, with his dubious morality, does not belong to this elite either, although he is white. It also bears its label, Italian-American, descendant of immigrants and therefore of the working class. Despite its apparent lack of culture, you can also enjoy music and even good words.
All this discourse is reflected and, at the same time, we can apply it to our own reality. It is clear that this segregation does not take place in the same way today, but the traces of institutionalized racism do not disappear easily.
Let’s think for a moment about our universities, is there really diversity?Certainly very little. We do not live in the United States in the 1960s, but we still live in a world that excludes by origin, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
Green Book does not put its finger on the wound, it does not show us the rawest image of racism, but the most normalized, silent and, perhaps, the most dangerous, so, although it offers nothing new, it conveys a message that, unfortunately, is timeless. It is no longer an act of “no to racism”, it is not discrimination of any kind.
Whether it won the Oscar for Best Picture or not, that’s another matter, we cannot say that it is an essential and absolutely necessary film, but it achieves its goal: to transmit good vibes and make us smile.
“You never win with violence, do you only win when you maintain your dignity?.