Set in 1962, a world-class pianist engages the services of Tony Lip to drive him on his tour of the Southern states. The title refers to the ‘The Negro Motorist Green Book’, a guide to where Afro-Americans could safely fill up with petrol, get a meal, or stay the night. In picking up on themes of racism, homosexual stigma and prejudice, it’s a worthy movie, but not Best Picture surely. Too sugar-coated and feel-good.
My rating: 4 stars
Posted in Movies 2019
I saw this a few weeks ago. Probably everybody else in the world has seen it too.
Yes, Rami Malek captures Freddie Mercury well. Yes, it was good to hear all that Queen music again. But the first half of the film just felt like a lame Saturday afternoon “I know boys! Let’s start a band!!” matinee film (for those of us old enough to remember matinee films). I couldn’t believe just how bad it was.
But then the Live Aid concert started, and it was very, very good (especially when you compare the real footage with the film.)
So, it just goes to show – the old saying was right: it’s not how you start but how you finish.
Posted in Movies 2019
The Resident Judge of Port Phillip 