Why are people up in arms over 'Green Book'? 

Americans are 100% obssessed with race

Why were people expecting a message about nowadays racism on a movie based in the 1960s? It wasn’t about racism, it was about friendship.

What I liked about that movie is how the two protagonists influenced each other and made each other better. Dr. Shirley was living life a bit more relaxed and laughed more due to Tony, and Tony was presenting himself better and was able to write beautiful letters to his wife because of Dr. Shirley. I really loved that aspect of the movie.

I am black and I saw this last night. I'm not saying I speak for all black people but more trying to contextualize my point. The racism is definitely understated--and typically that ruins a film about racism for me--but I really enjoyed this movie. To me, it was a lot less of a film about race and a lot more about the profound effect of loneliness and a search for identity. Race and culture is just an effective vehicle for delivering that message. I recommend anyone who disliked it to view it through that lens. The film actually does an excellent job of capturing that universal fear of being alone. EDIT Every so often I get notifications about comments that I ignore because I don't think this is a great place to check but there have actually been really interesting conversations. And while I still feel like this is a nice movie about friendship, the fact that Shirley was a real person whose story was told in this way is problematic. On top of that, Shirley's family thought the movie was a total misrepresentation of Don. I don't think it's fair to ignore the people actually connected with this story. I'm not a fan of this movie anymore. The friendship story is nice but it also makes racism palatable because it acts as though it's perpetrated by individuals and not systems, which is simply not how it works.

*Black and white man become best friends* Audience: what're you trying to prove, huh?

This movie wasn’t about racism nutheads it was about friendship smh

It can't be a complete 2019 movie controversy without a sexual assault allegation

I don't understand why some people think that you can't have a movie about race relations that's upbeat, with a happy ending AND, simultaneously, have other movies that are grittier and more downbeat. Movies are about story-telling. Some stories make you feel good. Some stories make you think. You don't need to pick just one kind.

I've seen the movie. Don and Tony save each other. No saviour complex.

The critics who claim the movie was a white savior film have missed the point. Don saves Tony, not the other way around. And the two men cross a divide to develop a new understanding of each other and of themselves. It was a very nuanced movie, far moreso than the critics have given it credit for.

I don't get the controversy at all. Green book was a heartwarming tale of friendship and showed how powerful that friendship could be. It was a beautiful movie.

I dont understand how a movie that represents deeper understanding of a relationship between different races in the 60s and how they benefited each other in their personal growth is still accused of being racist. People are obsessed with the idea of racism. Movies that promote racial violence drugs and basic thug behavior are revered and accepted because it tells the truth. Well I would rather see the reality of racism that was conquered by hard work understanding and perseverence than see another movie that promotes the return of racism through seperation of races through bitter resentments and percieved injustice.

Damn you get tired of people getting offended.. just enjoy the movie!

This was a beautiful, entertaining, gorgeously made, heartfelt, feel good movie. I loved it! People are just so bitter nowadays. Not everything has to be 12 years of slave. Geez!!

True story or not, this movie has a powerful message that everybody should listen to. Shut up and enjoy the damn movie.

2/26/19.....As a born & raised Atlanta "girl"---actually a Baby Boomer---I am familiar with SOME of the racism shown in this movie. I know BAD things happened all over the South during this era but I have seen most of it disappear as both white & black Atlantans/Georgians grew up with MLK & other Civil Rights leaders "teaching" us that we could & would grow up/go to school/work TOGETHER as time progressed. I saw the movie b/c I wanted to see WHAT THIS MOVIE SHOWED. It was serious in places....but it was humorous to see the chicken bones thrown out the window & other "normal" things I remember from living in Atlanta. I went to enjoy myself & found the cars & country clubs & fashions so REAL to the times. I am glad GREEN BOOK was "accepted" by Hollyweird b/c it was some history but mostly entertainment & THAT'S WHY I GO TO THE MOVIES....to be entertained!

To all the haters: WATCH THE MOVIE!!!

I watched this last night and it was a funny feel good movie about an odd couple being in a car together, why does everything have to be an up to date social commentary

Before this film was made people wasn't aware of the GREEN BOOK.....hence that's why it won an Oscar...in reality Green Book should have been taught within schools anyway.

I loved the movie. Whoever was complaining about it missed the point.

There is no controversy. The movie is a masterpiece. It's about two human beings and how they helped each other grow despite their interesting differences. The Washington Post is doing what it usually does...trying to stir up crap...and divide us.

You can’t have a good white man in a video involving race it seems. What amazes me is people seem to think Green Book is a movie about race-it isn’t. It’s a movie about an unlikely friendship and their character development.

They keep on talking about race to win an award. Why not talk about human beings.

It was a wonderful movie, they did a good job.

I'm not white not black, and I love this movie, about friendship, trust, and we have learned from them, not matter your color, raze, that Human Been could be good or bad, it's Your bloody choice

"Peter Farly"? You mean Peter Farrelly? Two seconds of research, guys...

It's a heartwarming tale without any lousy, pretentious scenes usually shown in multiracial stories. Besides, the screenplay is so sharp and the performances are brilliant. Very straightforward movie, not at all deserving of the hate.

Having listened to the audio from the recorded interviews of both Tony and Dr Shirley, I’ve concluded that the movie was 85% right on. That’s pretty good for any movie.

How is this racist?! It was a great movie..

I don’t get the white saviour thing? If anyone is saving anyone it’s Don who saves Tony by giving him a job . He hired him as a driver and a protector. If Tony eventually saved Don , Tony was just doing his job. He got paid for it. He could be Chinese for all I care. The movie also didn’t say Tony stopped being racist towards black people at the end maybe he became more accommodating to Don but who knows how he really feels inside?

This was an amazing movie. Honestly it feels like it released in the wrong generation lol. Alot of snowflakes in this age.

I found it to be a fantastic movie about an unlikely friendship of two people from two different worlds and the troubles they go through. End of story, watch the movie.

Ok so no more movies that take place in the US from slavery to civil rights. Seriously some people look for anything to get triggered by.

I think it's mostly because it suffers from the same symptoms as Driving Miss Daisy-- a film that tries to tells us that we live in a post-racial society, and I agree that the film is made for a very particular audience. The only good things I have to say about the film are the performances, other than that, I can't believe it got the nominations it did

y’all should listen to the episode of the New York Times podcast about this....it’s not so much a white savior complex as it is a racial reconciliation fantasy. there’s a long history of these kinds of movies being given awards in Hollywood over more gritty, realistic portrayals of race relations in America (for example, when driving miss daisy won 1990 and spike lee’s do the right thing wasn’t even nominated). it’s actually really interesting and worth reflecting on

Well it moved passed it's controversies, and won the Oscar, because mainstream media kept it (the controversies) out of the loop. I was glad to learn about a very talented black man, I had never heard of.

I watched this movie today and i love it so i don't care!

Just because there is controversy with the people on and behind the screen and that it may not be completely accurate to the Racial Discrimination African Americans faced then or now does not mean that it should not be recognized for being a great movie.

Green book was a great movie

The narrative of this movie is ‘let’s be nice to one another, we’re all the same’. It’s simple, there is no real depth to it, which is why it probably doesn’t deserve an Oscar. Why can you not make a movie about that?

People who want to be triggered , will be triggered. About anything.

This country will forever be haunted with the consequences from the aweful behaviour of its past!!

I love this film so much. I laughed so much and enjoyed there friendship. Great movie and I’m happy it won best picture oscars.

Because America and Americans would like to act like these periods in the history of the United States of America didn't exist. If we fail to acknowledge history; we are doomed to repeat it.

Alla plz who said the quote : " the truth no matter how bad, i never as dangerous as lie in long run ." ?

A story about what happened in the past, yet you want a modern version of it? Like really? What's next? Cellphones and selfies in 1960s?

It’s not a film about black and white America, it’s about Don and Tony

I love this movie and I always will. Criticism of the movie is valid but it dosent take away from my love of the film!

Film student here. I loved this film. Here's my take on it. Before you criticize, read this. People say this film beats us over the head with the usage of racism as a plot device. Every chance the writers get, they utilize racist themes and ideas. Yeah, that's the point. This story takes place before Dr. MLK, Malcolm X, Selma, Bobby Kennedy, and before racial equality was a major discussion in American culture. We do have Ruby Bridges striking up desegregation conversations, but otherwise, not too much. So, for Tony to be stereotyped as a racist, white dude is the point. In the first scene with the lemonade glasses in the trash, we understand Tony's character by one little action. And by the end of the film, Tony goes from racist to a very good friend of Shirley's. Although Shirley is the performer in the spotlight every night, the protagonist is clearly Tony because he underwent change. He didn't want a couple of black plumbers in the house at the start, but asks Shirley to stay for Christmas dinner. Complete 180. And we see this. It wasn't an immediate change, but it happened. Another thing about "The Great White Savior Trope." Also necessary in this film. I'm fed up with it too, but Tony is a white man accompanying a black man through the Jim Crowe south. But not even that; Shirley faced racism in the North and the midwest too. Had Shirley hired a driver that wasn't white, who knows what could've happened during this tour. Going back to the idea of the overkill of racism in the plot, Shirley faces this attitude daily, regardless if it's Birmingham or New York City. He can't escape it. This is his life. He's just as annoyed with the subtle or explicit acts as we are. So if he could carry on with this everyday, then we could deal with the overt spelling out for two hours. Rant done.

I think the main point of the movie was how these two opposite characters influenced each other for the better: Dr. Shirley was a much more relaxed, happy and contented man by the end, even "reconnecting with his race" in a sense. Tony became a more thoughtful, deeper guy thinking of things that he'd never contemplated before. Yes, the "race issue" was there, but it wasn't everything. Either ways I loved it and would gladly see it again.

GB is a true story about a real friendship that lasted for more than 5O years The members of the academy already voted for the movie each one of them thought it was the best one. Trying to change their minds now with a post like this is a total waste of time. No matter what you guys think about it people still love this movie so deal with it.

Regardless of any controversy factors, Green book was an reality. Even if it was not an non fiction story, we can't deny it was a sweet and warm movie that missing for a long time.

I think the outcry surrounding The Green Book stems from the exceptiopnalism required of Don for this film to be made. Don is a talented pianist, while Tony is an everyman. Don must prove to Tony (and contemporary 1960s America) through his exceptionalism that he and ordinary (everyman) black people should be treated as equals. If Don had not been a celebrated/novelty pianist, Tony and his path would never have crossed, thus Tony likely would have continued to be racist and found no value for his fellow black Americans. However, this movie is based on a true story and I'm not faulting it for such. Again, IMO the outcry stems from Hollywood producing a film in which an exceptional character must fight to be seen as an equal with his less-than-stellar counterpart. Though it just so happens that this true story centers on an actual experience between a (black) pianist-exceptional character and his (white) chaffeur-everyman during the period of segragation in the U.S. If the movie was about a black motorist-everyman who picked up a white hitchhiker-everyman, while attempting to travel safely through the U.S. in the 1960s using the green book, it could have accomplished the same goal, perhaps even more accurately. Just my two cents.

Ridiculous. I am part black. I am gay. I am a minority. I have faced prejudice. And I loved this movie. When you think that everyone else is always the enemy, you WILL find the evidence to prove yourself right. People who are so ridiculously angered by the film have completely missed the point. If you make everyone racist in your mind...if you make drama where there was none...you have nobody to blame but yourself. I understand that it must absolutely be hard when one has been taught by their parents...who learned from their parents...who learned from their parents...that white people or rich people or southern people or whomever is the forever enemy. And I’m sorry...genuinely sorry...for the way your ancestors...our ancestors...were treated. But it’s time you stopped treating YOURSELF like garbage by making every movie, book, news story, or race your enemy. This movie was incredible. And this movie deserved every award it received. It was heartbreaking at times. But sorry...it’s not about a white man saving a black man. It’s about a white man with prejudice who is treated beautifully and fairly and kindly by a black man...who helps to open his eyes and heart by the end. If anything, the black man saves the white man. Period. So let it go.

Can someone please tell e the song playing throughout this clip. thank you

It seems nearly everything is problematic these days, I recommend people that find problems around every corner get over themselves.

Curious how you forgot to mention Shirley's family was not consulted about the screenplay, as per the request of Don Shirley himself. Whatever fits your narrative i guess...

Beautiful film, positive story based on real life events. Don't like the style? Make your own movie.

I luv this movie, and yes I’m a black 57 year old female. When I watch a movie I’m watching for entertainment purposes. I watch documentaries ( which I do often ) for actual facts and closer portrayal of a persons life. IMO, people should stop trying to find faults in everything, and let people enjoy the damn movie(s) they like.

Octavia Spencer was one of eleven producers and five executive producers. You mentioned only her and the director herein. CLASSIC token-ism

Thanks for explaining this. I saw the movie and loved it. BTW, I'm Black (even though it shouldn't really matter.) And now that I know, I guess I do take up issue with the fact that the Shirley wasn't involved with the writing of the movie. That sounds like a huge mistake. But just because a movie doesn't make you want to wretch or make your blood boil with anger doen't mean it's tone deaf to racism. Just my two cents.

I like Green Book..Just watch the movie and enjoy it..stop making stuff up!

Everyone should watch Seth Meyers’ sketch “White Savior: Trailer” :D

Only some people. Cause some people are up in arms about everything

personally, as a minority in this country struggling to fit in, i loved the movie i'm proud it won!

LOL, when people are mad because the movie had a happy ending. XD

Why does everything have to be about black and white? Why can't it be just about people? What is WRONG with everyone these days? It's all got to be in categories, labeled "correct" or "not correct" and that is NOT what life is about.

Controversy? Whatever controversy is small fry, the main point is Green Book was a very good film about 2 very different characters, and how they grew to appreciate each others strengths and vulnerabilities in a lonely hostile world.

I loved this movie and was by far the best I saw this year...sorry critics but people loved this movie!

This was a great movie and there will always be people who play the race card. I am Italian American and if you don't know East Coast Italians, (often hot headed and had nothing to do with a white savior complex). Oh the ROOT LOL. That explains everything, that is a racially biased media platform. Both actors did a superb job playing their roles. We live in a world of Snowflakes and they couldn't spot a great movie if they tried by the way Ali also just came off doing Alita Battle Angel! He has great range. Can't wait to see him other roles! Bravo.

This has nothing to do with white savior complex. It's another feel-good movie catering to a predominantly white audience about a man who is cured from his racism by befriending a single black person. It feeds the narrative of the racists defending their racism (or claim that they're not racist) by mentioning black friends or family members. That doesn't mean that the movie is inherently bad but it has to tell us something that in 2019 this is the movie white America apparently "craves".

It was a great movie about friendship. I'm so sick of people getting offended over everything.

Who had never seen or heard of this movie before it won the Oscar? 🙋

Seems like there are always a group of people white & black who claim this movie is a disservice to African Americans when really it is not. This movie takes place in a period in American history while Jim Crow was alive and well, and in the movie it shows how no matter our color we are all the same, we are all Americans. This shows all of are history, I am tired of people discrediting portrayals that show a different perspective and shows how knowing one another we can heal the wounds of racism.

All I got to ask is this what movie did you people wanted to win?

I mean, God forbids you show an honest mature friendship between a black and a white man.....

I enjoyed the film very much but I feel ROMA should have won it. Roma was a cinematic masterpiece that resonated with people all over the world. It's starting become apparent now why it didn't win. Spielberg speaking out against Netflix, who bought Roma.

GREAT MOVIE...relax with the review..its a feel good movie that's it

Critic's hate it, it must be a masterpiece.

Because Green Book is Oscar-bait, that's why. And because Hollywood's attempts to diversify ironically end up creating a zero-sum atmosphere at every awards season where they feel it's impossible to appease everyone.

It's a great heartfelt time piece movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. People completely misunderstood the message of film.

This movie is amazing. It's about two people overcoming their preconceptions and become friends, nothing more and nothing less. Who cares what the director or writer did in the past they're not the only people that made the movie. Also I read Nick had meet with Dr.Shirley before writing the script and he specifically told Nick not to talk to anybody else about what happened and only use his father's and Shirley's own accounts of what happened. Take that as you may but there are two sides to this story.

We will definitely find soo many people like Tony in real life, they are not rare but their actions make them seem rare.

In all honestly I thought this video said “Why people are so against the Green Deal”...

Never even heard of Green Book until they say it won an award yesterday, the price I pay for having a life.

It’s not much about it being racist like at all, it’s about it beating incredibly unique and innovative films, Roma studies classism and racism better, the favorite challenges ideals about female pettiness and toxic femininity, films like blackkkkansman and EVEN black panther said more interesting things about racism than green book, green book was basically: racism=bad, it was a safe unchallenging pick for best picture, and you can bet in 20 years the favourite and Roma will be studied and taught in film classes, as well as the script of blakkklansman and black panther would still be a cultural phenomenon. Green book is fine but it’s just bland

I'm white and from EU, but even I noticed the whitesplainin' in this...

this is a brilliant film and its about the interplay and relationship between people from different cultures,it shows that we all shine in our own way

Why? Because a lot of people are desperate for something to be up in arms about. Question answered.

People are always starting crap about racism, I really enjoyed the movie, let it go!

Why they gotta review a bright, heart-warming film dark? Cant people just admit this was a great uplifting movie?

It’s about that time, not about ours. That’s what people don’t understand. They also don’t understand that it’s one of the few accurate movies based on a real life. There is too many inaccurate movies that people were head over heels for. Because it told a story and that’s what movies should do. This, told a story.

As soon as I saw this movie last year, I knew it was going to win best picture. It was an awesome film.

I've seen the movie twice. I enjoyed it each time. I know what is watered down and what isn't. Jeez just enjoy it already.

Im very liberal but my grandma (who is black and has no reason to make this up) DID see and hear people cheering after 9/11 and she lived in New Jersey.

Basically if a movie is made today where a black person is in it and a white person is in it and they both actually like one another and maybe even learn from one another now THAT is considered bad for some reason.

Green Book is a true story, that shows hope for america coming together.

One of the most brilliant movies made.... well deserved for the oscar

Amazingly, the Academy were apparently unmoved by the whining of the professional offense-takers, as Green Book won the Oscar! I suppose they'll now have to find some other movie to nitpick.

This movie is so good I've watched it at least 8 times! I told my "shut-in" Brother who's very sick about it and Begged him to watch it! He refused!! Why do you think he refused??? I am sick of "racism "!!!!!!!!