In 2018, several films tackled themes of race and culture with powerful messages, from the systemic racism portrayed in BlacKkKlansman to the groundbreaking Afro-Futurism in Marvel’s Black Panther. Despite these bold efforts, the Academy Awards awarded Best Picture to Green Book, a period drama directed by Peter Farrelly. The film, based on the true story of Tony Lip and Don Shirley’s 1962 tour through the American South, faced criticism for its conventional approach to racially charged issues. Yet, Mahershala Ali’s Green Book performance was widely praised as the film’s standout element amid its broader shortcomings.
Green Book Reflects an Older Hollywood Style Amid Racial Themes
Green Book draws from the real-life experiences of Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga, played by Viggo Mortensen, who was the film’s screenwriter’s father. As a bouncer at the Copacabana, Tony finds temporary work as the driver for pianist Don Shirley, portrayed by Ali, during an eight-week concert tour through Middle America and the segregated South. To navigate the harsh realities of segregation, Shirley gives Tony The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide listing safe places for African-Americans to eat and stay in Jim Crow-era America.
Once the road trip premise unfolds, the film follows the familiar Hollywood formula of two men from vastly different backgrounds clashing before forming a close bond. This narrative arc has been seen in numerous films addressing racial tensions, such as The Defiant Ones and Hidden Figures. While Mortensen defended his role against accusations of perpetuating a “white savior” trope in a 2024 Vanity Fair interview, his portrayal of Tony Lip has been described as exaggerated, pushing the film towards a buddy comedy rather than serious drama.
Rather than fully exploring the powerful concept behind the title—the existence of a guidebook documenting safe places for African-Americans traveling in the segregated South—the film opts for a safer, less challenging story. It frames the plot as two men overcoming prejudices, which many critics, including Spike Lee, found frustratingly formulaic. Lee also challenged the authenticity of the friendship depicted, although there are audio recordings of Don Shirley confirming their relationship. Despite the filmmakers’ intentions, Green Book’s approach often felt more like Oscar bait than a meaningful dialogue starter.
Mahershala Ali’s Performance Is the Film’s Most Eminent Strength
Despite the film’s narrative flaws, Ali delivered a compelling portrayal of Don Shirley that earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He embodies Shirley’s elegance and quiet dignity while revealing the pianist’s inner turmoil and vulnerability—especially regarding his sexuality and longing for acceptance. In a film that often feels sanitized, Ali grounds the character with emotional depth and nuance.
Ali’s performance invites comparison to Denzel Washington’s role in The Hurricane, where both actors portray famous figures facing systemic racism within formulaic scripts. Their performances transcend the clichés inherent in their stories, ensuring their characters leave a lasting impression. Ali’s portrayal in Green Book remains a memorable aspect of an otherwise divisive film that continues to spark debate among moviegoers and critics alike.
Main Cast and Contributions
The film features Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip, with Mahershala Ali as Don Shirley. Supporting roles include Iqbal Theba and Sebastian Maniscalco, each contributing to the dynamic that underpins the story. Although the film’s script and direction have been scrutinized, the cast’s performances provide moments of authenticity and emotional resonance.
The Lasting Impact and Controversy Surrounding Green Book
Green Book’s win marked a significant moment in Hollywood’s ongoing conversation about race and representation in film. While the movie itself leans on familiar tropes and a comfortable narrative arc, its reception highlights tensions around how stories of race are told in mainstream cinema. Mahershala Ali’s Green Book performance stands as a testament to powerful acting amid these challenges, offering a complex portrayal within a film many view as reflective of a more dated storytelling approach. As audiences and critics continue to debate its legacy, Green Book’s place in the conversation about race, artistry, and awards remains contentious.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Mahershala Ali quit?
A. Mahershala Ali is still involved with the MCU’s Blade film.
Q. Can Mahershala Ali actually play piano?
A. The first person is Don Shirley, a musician who gained fame in the 1950s and 60s through live shows and records. The second person is Mahershala Ali, an actor who plays Shirley in a movie but cannot play the piano. Finally, Kris Bowers is the third person and is the talent behind the piano performances for Ali in the film.
Q. Can Mahershala Ali really play the piano?
A. The second person is actor Mahershala Ali, who appears as Shirley in the movie but doesn’t play the piano. So, the third person involved is Kris Bowers, who performs all the piano parts for Ali in the film. Bowers carefully recreated the music that Don Shirley, a master of jazz and classical music, originally played.
