Green Book proves to be a triumphant success that analyzes racism and prejudice through a mixture of both comedy and drama. The movie revolves around Tony Lip, an Italian American who has lived in the Bronx his entire life. Known for being tough, everyone in the Bronx has heard of Lip's ability to take care of potential trouble as a bouncer who knows how to get the job done. When Dr. Don Shirley, an African-American pianist, hears of Lip, Shirley realizes that he might be the perfect candidate to go on a concert tour with him. Due to how Shirley needs someone to drive him and to offer protection, especially because he is going to be traveling in the Deep South in 1962, Shirley quickly hires Lip. As both Dr. Don Shirley and Tony Lip embark on the road trip of a lifetime, an unanticipated friendship forms as they teach each other about life and face cold-blooded racism and discrimination. 
 Green Book proves to be a heartfelt examination of the racism that exists and existed in the United States. With its heart and soul trying to show that the greatest wounds between races can be healed through time and an understanding of one another, its core friendship between Dr. Don Shirley and Tony Lip is both poignant and moving, exemplifying their differences and similarities and why they should care about the other's struggles. While the film doesn't necessarily go to the controversial depths that it could have, analyzing how brutal racism and bigotry existed in places that weren't confined to just the Deep South, it handles its subject matter of discrimination with efficacy. Shedding light on how bigotry can exist for even African Americans of great intelligence and culture, the story itself is often at its strongest when it emphasizes the pain that Dr. Don Shirley has to suffer as a man divided between two worlds. Although it's not nearly as large of a focal point as it perhaps should be, the movie's rousing nature constantly reveals itself when Shirley's personality and passion for being a world-class pianist prevent him from completely fitting in with either whites or African Americans. The people who he performs for, which mostly consist of an extremely wealthy and privileged aristocracy, are far from unwilling to degrade and demean Shirley the second he steps off stage, and the people who share his skin color, everyday African Americans, feel unable to be accepting of a man who has enough money and luxuries to not be considered "black" from their perspective. In fact, even if this may be a subtle underlying theme—this notion that Shirley is unable to belong to either race and feels like an inherent outsider—it still adds a greater level of depth to the movie's essential philosophies on racism and how change needs to occur. Additionally, one of Green Book's greatest qualities is how this call for societal change is balanced with the humor that arises from the lovable friendship that forms between Dr. Don Shirley and Tony Lip. As a riveting, invigorating glance at how a blue-collar Italian American and a distinguished African-American pianist share far, far more in common than they could have ever guessed, especially in regard to how they're both plagued by everyday struggles, this friendship possesses immense impact and power. Both Don Shirley and Tony Lip are presented as likable and charismatic, and due to how they are both shown to be relatable and flawed, coming across as very human, the comedy that spurs from their growing bond, such as teaching Shirley how to eat fried chicken, is simply a delight. As a result, the implementation of these sincere characters allows the film's elucidation of racism to become attention-grabbing, passionate, and intensely full of zeal. It's enthusiastic, compelling, and encouraging viewers to be a part of change themselves, its promotion of equality is accomplished with stupendous success. 
 Green Book also tremendously benefits from a stellar cast that oozes with talent. The substance that this movie offers is profound and unquestionably necessary, and when an important film has an equally important message and true story that deserve to be honored, it's ultimately the depictions of characters that separate being effective or not. This is no different, and luckily for the film, its cast proves to be up to the task. In particular, Mahershala Ali is magnificent as Dr. Don Shirley, and adding nuances to the character's facial expressions, tone, and body language, Ali provides a towering performance that both demands to be recognized for being great and is subtle enough to be appreciated. Ali's character is certainly one of the most intriguing of the entire film, especially when given the complexities of being a pianist who can't play the music he enjoys and an African American who isn't accepted by others that share his skin color, and Ali makes all of these complications prominent. Ali leaves much to be implied with his character, especially due to his knack to be engulfed within silence for long periods of time, and somehow this makes Don Shirley even more striking. This isn't an easy character to play, yet Mahershala Ali consistently makes it appear that way. Often justifying why he was the recipient of the highly regarded Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Don Shirley becomes a character to remember. By Ali's side is a notable performance from Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip. Undeniably the funniest character in the whole film and one of the most appealing for audiences, this is Mortensen at perhaps his most likable. Tony Lip's adherence and stubbornness to his ways is often enjoyable, and along with his peculiar eating habits, which include being able to eat twenty-six hot dogs and fold an entire pizza to take one bite, Mortensen is often a key reason why the film possesses laugh-out-loud fun. Additionally, the on-screen chemistry between Mortensen's Lip and Ali's Shirley is exceptional. Lip's more over the top, loud personality starkly contrasts with Shirley's more reserved demeanor, and with both actors excellently bringing out all that their characters have to offer, their outstanding performances are difficult not to like. Although there are plenty of other notable roles, including Linda Cardellini's Dolores, there's no denying that the main stars are Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, and together, they're simply unforgettable. 
 Green Book succeeds where other films fail because of its stunning dialogue, meaningful characters, proud dignity, and important messages. As a feel-good movie, it clicks on nearly every level as it shows how colossal changing a single person's perspective can be. Influential and inspirational, it serves as a rallying cry to show the division of the country over race in an era that existed not all that long ago, and in doing so, it packs a punch as it illustrates the need for equality for all. Along with its implicit, subtle nature, it effectively achieves all of this with surprising efficacy and tenacity that lie beneath the surface. Given the current state of the world and how recent events have shed light on how discrimination is still prevalent, especially in regard to George Floyd's tragic death, this film is as relevant and as imperative as ever. This is absolutely a must-see. With a phenomenal cast, exceptional significance, and achieving an end product that is every bit as deserving of the Academy Award for Best Picture as one might hope, what are you waiting for?