Peter Farrelly, a director known for his work in comedy, took a surprising turn with the 2018 film Green Book. While some lauded it as a heartwarming story, others, including many critics and audiences within the Black community, viewed it as deeply problematic. Understanding the criticisms leveled against Green Book requires a closer look at Peter Farrelly Director’s choices and the broader context surrounding the film.
Before Green Book, Peter Farrelly, often working alongside his brother Bobby Farrelly, established himself directing comedies like Dumb and Dumber and There’s Something About Mary. These films, while commercially successful, are characterized by slapstick humor and often push boundaries with their comedic takes on social norms. Green Book seemed like a significant departure, venturing into the territory of historical drama and tackling themes of race and prejudice in 1960s America. This shift in genre raised immediate questions about whether Farrelly, as a director primarily known for comedy, was the right person to handle such sensitive subject matter.
Green Book tells the story of Tony Lip, an Italian-American bouncer, hired to drive and protect Dr. Don Shirley, a Black pianist, on a concert tour through the Deep South in 1962. The narrative framework itself immediately sets up a dynamic that became a central point of criticism. The film positions Tony Lip, the white character, as the protagonist, with Dr. Shirley, the Black character, relegated to a supporting role in his own story. This narrative choice is where Peter Farrelly director‘s approach comes under scrutiny.
Critics argue that Farrelly’s direction in Green Book perpetuates the “white savior” trope. The film emphasizes Tony Lip’s journey of personal growth and reduced prejudice as a result of his relationship with Dr. Shirley. Conversely, Dr. Shirley’s internal struggles, his experiences with racism, and his profound musical genius are often overshadowed by Lip’s actions and perspectives. As the original article points out, “Peter Farrelly’s Green Book is about Tony Lip… In the beginning of the film, Lip is portrayed as almost cartoonishly racist… Throughout the film, we are asked to believe that Lip becomes less racist through his relationship with Shirley.”
Image alt text: Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip and Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley in a scene from Green Book, highlighting the central dynamic between the two characters.
The film’s narrative structure often prioritizes Lip’s understanding and navigation of the racial landscape over Shirley’s lived experience. For instance, the movie depicts Lip lecturing Shirley on aspects of Black American culture, which many found to be a jarring and inaccurate portrayal of a highly educated and sophisticated Black man. This element further reinforces the critique that Green Book, under Peter Farrelly director’s guidance, prioritizes a white perspective on race relations. The original review emphasizes this point: “Lip also lectures Shirley about Shirley’s supposed isolation from the rest of the Black community… Because, let Lip tell it, he is more of a Black person than Shirley…”
Furthermore, the historical context of the Negro Motorist Green Book, a vital tool for Black travelers during segregation, is minimized in the film. While the title references the Green Book, the movie portrays it as somewhat unreliable, leading to a dilapidated hotel. This depiction, critics argue, diminishes the importance and life-saving function of the Green Book for Black Americans during a dangerous era. The original article notes, “Worst yet, Peter Farrelly portrays the book as unhelpful, as it leads Shirley and Lip to a dump of a hotel that Lip derides.” This directorial choice suggests a lack of understanding or perhaps a disregard for the significance of the Green Book within Black history.
Beyond the narrative choices, controversies surrounding Green Book and Peter Farrelly director himself further fueled the criticism. The fact that Nick Vallelonga, Tony Lip’s son, co-wrote the screenplay explains the film’s focus on the Lip perspective. However, this also raises concerns about potential bias and a lack of thorough research from other perspectives.
Adding to the controversy, Dr. Don Shirley’s family publicly denounced the film, calling it a “bunch of lies.” Their statements highlighted inaccuracies in the portrayal of Shirley’s life and his relationship with Tony Lip, further undermining the film’s claim to be based on a true story. This directly challenges the credibility and ethical responsibility of Peter Farrelly director and the filmmaking team in representing a real person’s life and history.
Image alt text: Mahershala Ali as Don Shirley in Green Book, passionately playing the piano, showcasing a glimpse of the musician’s artistry that critics felt was under explored in favor of Tony Lip’s narrative.
Moreover, resurfaced accounts of Peter Farrelly’s past behavior, including his departure from “Project Greenlight” after a disagreement with a Black female producer, Effie Brown, added another layer of complexity. These incidents contributed to a perception that Farrelly might not have been fully equipped to handle the nuances of race and representation in Green Book. The original review mentions, “Learning this made me realize that perhaps Farrelly isn’t self-reflective enough to realize when he’s swerving out of his lane. If he were, maybe he would’ve been more willing to work with Brown and understand where she was coming from.”
The controversy extended to Viggo Mortensen, who played Tony Lip, when he used the n-word during a Q&A session following a screening of the film. While Mortensen apologized and claimed he was trying to make a point about the past usage of the word, the incident further solidified the perception that the film and its team were tone-deaf to the sensitivities surrounding race, despite being centered around racial themes. This incident, as highlighted in the original article, “made me feel as though this movie did not accomplish what they thought it would. If one of your stars still feels safe to say the n-word after making movie about racism, you didn’t do your job.”
In conclusion, Green Book under Peter Farrelly director’s helm, became a focal point for discussions about race, representation, and the white savior narrative in Hollywood. While the film achieved commercial success and even won Oscars, the criticisms and controversies surrounding it highlight the importance of directorial sensitivity, historical accuracy, and centering marginalized voices when telling stories about race and history. The hope remains, as expressed in the original review, that future biopics will give figures like Dr. Don Shirley and historical resources like the Negro Motorist Green Book the respectful and accurate portrayals they truly deserve.
