"Green Book" Cinematography: More Than Just Feel-Good?

Okay, film buffs, cinephile_sarah here! Just rewatched "Green Book" and I had some thoughts nagging at me, particularly about the visuals. I know it's a crowd-pleaser (understatement, right?), but I'm wondering if the cinematography maybe played it a little too safe? It's a beautiful movie, don't get me wrong. The color palette is rich, the costumes are fantastic, and there are some lovely shots – especially those long takes of the car driving through the South. But did anyone else feel like it maybe softened the edges a bit too much? Like, it's a movie about racism in the 60s, but the visual language felt almost… comforting? I'm thinking specifically about the scenes where they're driving through the Deep South. The landscapes are gorgeous, the light is soft. It almost feels like a travelogue at times, which clashes a bit with the harsh realities they face. Was this a conscious choice to make the film more palatable to a wider audience, or am I totally overthinking it? Also, what did you guys think of the way Don Shirley was framed? Mahershala Ali's performance is incredible, but I noticed he's often shot in these very formal, almost static compositions, particularly early in the film. Is this meant to emphasize his rigid personality and social isolation, or does it inadvertently contribute to a sense of otherness? I'm just trying to square the emotional impact of the story with the technical aspects of its execution. Thoughts? And one last minor thing - anyone spot any continuity errors? I swear Tony's cigarette magically reappeared in his hand between cuts in that one scene at the motel... or maybe I was just too distracted by the overall 'comfort' of the framing. Let's discuss!