7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. MarinovBiography | 100% |
Period | 45% |
Drama | 2% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.00:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.00:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Director Peter Farrelly's (Kingpin) Green Book is a lovingly crafted picture that tells the bonding story of a renowned and cultured black pianist and his fairly gruff, white New York driver who accompanies him on a Southern states tour in 1962. The title is taken from "The Negro Motorist Green Book," a guidebook printed in the middle decades of the 20th century to help direct African-American travelers towards "safe" places to eat, sleep, and rest on the road, throughout the United States and particularly in the Jim Crow South. The film is dramatically compelling and subtly funny, extremely well acted, and one of the true cinema joys of 2018.
The digitally photographed Green Book arrives on Blu-ray with a well-rounded 1080p presentation. The picture produces fine detailing across the board, notably in the most common areas of interest such as complex skin textures, hair, and clothes, each one an example of precision yield that the Blu-ray reveals to the top of the format's capacity. Likewise, various 1960s cars and locations are impressive, particularly home interiors: Tony's more relatable dwelling or Dr. Shirley's more ornately decorated and naturally illuminated place of residence above a theater. There are ample environments of note throughout the film, including a range of hotels and motels from grungy and worn to more resplendently lavish. Barrooms, restaurants, and various places of performance all reveal their own unique character that the Blu-ray in turn reveals with exemplary textural command. Colors are well saturated, with the most notable being the car that carries the men on their tour through the South. Clothes offer precise coloring and various locations are likewise home to a nicely diverse and neutrally contrasted palette. Black levels are a strength and skin tones appear to be accurate. The image reveals no source or encode maladies beyond light noise that is kept in check, even in darker scenes.
With one of the main characters being a musician, it's no surprise that music is a critical component to Green Book. Universal's Dolby Atmos soundtrack supports the film with grandeur and grace alike, delivering a first-rate listen that supports both the generalized sonic atmosphere and the thematically enriching music, often that played by Shirley and his fellow musicians in several concert stops. The film opens with some impressive musical beats flowing off the Copacabana stage. Terrific width, full and balanced surround implementation, and a quality low end depth give a significant verve and enjoyable, immersive presence to music right off the bat. Concert scenes yield wonderfully melodic details as the three instruments present with recognizable individual character and sonic signature while merging into symphonic bliss; the Atmos track effortlessly pulls the listener into any of the several venues along the way. Environmental effects are filling and nicely defined. The tack recreates several distinct locations: bustling city exteriors, a diner, a restaurant, a kitchen, a motel courtyard. Each one finds effortlessly engaging and perfectly balanced location recreation, easily drawing the listener into every stop during the journey. The overhead channels are never used to discrete effect but they do support music and environmental details, with special emphasis on a scene featuring driving rainfall in chapter 15 that offers the most obvious top layer implementation to be found. Dialogue is clear, center-focused, and well prioritized for the duration.
For this Blu-ray release of Green Book, Universal has included a trio of featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy
code are included with purchase. The release ships with an embossed slipcover.
Green Book star Viggo Mortensen ran afoul of controversy when the actor used the "N" word during a Q&A session following a screening. The word was certainly not spoken in a hateful or derogatory manner but rather within the film's narrative and historical contexts during a discussion of how racism has evolved in today's society. Nevertheless, its utterance sparked outrage. Co-Star Mahershala Ali was understandably offended, but Mortensen was quick to apologize and Ali was quick to accept the apology. Hopefully, there's no long-term tainting of Mortensen's character or damage to the film's legacy, a film of purpose, profoundness, and, yes, quality entertainment value at the same time. It's a terrific film from every angle. It does not shy away from the harsh realities of the racial strife in its time while painting a picture of bonding between two very disparate individuals who both change for the better on their journey not just through the heart of the American South but through their own own hearts and souls. Universal's Blu-ray is terrific, featuring high end video and audio qualities. Supplements are scant, but the movie more than stands on its own. Very highly recommended.
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