Movies News Talk
Renowned actor Viggo Mortensen, who starred in movies including "The Lord of the Rings" and " Eastern Promises," has lately provided his open view on the debate around the 2018 Oscar-winning movie "Green Book." Starring Mortensen alongside Mahershala Ali, the movie chronicles the unusual friendship between Tony Lip, an Italian-American bouncer, and Black classical pianist Dr. Don Shirley as they travel the divided American South in the 1960s.
"Green Book" drew strong criticism even though it was praised and won many honors, including the much sought-after Best Picture Oscar. Critics contended that Tony Lip's character, a reluctant hero guiding Dr. Shirley across the racially charged terrain of the Jim Crow South, perpetuated a "white savior" narrative. They also noted that the storyline of the movie mostly favored Tony Lip's point of view, so diminishing the agency and experiences of Dr. Shirley. This led to a presentation of the narrative that minimized the systematic and widespread character of racism and its effects on Black people in that age.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Mortensen discussed the debate surrounding "Green Book" six years after it first came out. Particularly with regard to "disingenuous criticism" and "nasty rumors and inaccuracies," he expressed his annoyance with the feedback the movie got. Mortensen pointed out the possibility for false information and online manipulation by claiming that these objections were sometimes taken out of context and driven by social media. He said further that, based on a real relationship, the studio should have been more forceful in refuting these assertions and supporting the actual narrative of the movie.
Although Mortensen's point of view clarifies the pressures and difficulties experienced by digital age filmmakers, his answer does not adequately address the central issues around "Green Book." Though based on a real-life narrative, the film's framing was attacked for perhaps centering Tony Lip at the center of the story, so reducing Dr. Shirley's experiences and agency. Some contend that this strategy unintentionally reinforced a stereotype of the white savior, so distorting the historical background and the reality of racial discrimination.
Notwithstanding the controversy, "Green Book" has grown to be a financially successful movie and is still much enjoyed by many viewers. Its legacy is still complicated, though, with its honors mixed with its critiques generating continuing debates on historical accuracy, representation, and the difficulties of narrative in a society charged with racism. The way the movie was received captures the careful balance directors must strike when negotiating delicate subjects and negotiating the complexity of historical accounts.