Green Book (2018)

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.

Director:

Peter Farrelly

Writers:

Nick Vallelonga, Brian Hayes Currie (as Brian Currie)

Stars:

Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini

Top Rated Movies #129 | Won 3 Oscars. Another 53 wins & 107 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Viggo Mortensen	...	Tony Lip
Mahershala Ali	...	Dr. Donald Shirley
Linda Cardellini	...	Dolores
Sebastian Maniscalco	...	Johnny Venere
Dimiter D. Marinov	...	Oleg
Mike Hatton	...	George
P.J. Byrne	...	Record Exec
Joe Cortese	...	Gio Loscudo
Maggie Nixon	...	Copa Coat Check Girl
Von Lewis	...	Bobby Rydell
Jon Sortland	...	Rydell Band Leader
Don Stark	...	Jules Podell
Anthony Mangano	...	Copa Bouncer Danny
Paul Sloan	...	Copa Maître D' Carmine
Quinn Duffy	...	Mikey Cerrone

Storyline

In 1962, Tony "Tony Lip" Vallelonga, a tough bouncer, is looking for work when his nightclub is closed for renovations. The most promising offer turns out to be the driver for the African-American classical pianist Don Shirley for a concert tour into the Deep South states. Although hardly enthused at working for a black man, Tony accepts the job and they begin their trek armed with The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide for safe travel through America's racial segregation. Together, the snobbishly erudite pianist and the crudely practical bouncer can barely get along with their clashing attitudes to life and ideals. However, as the disparate pair witness and endure America's appalling injustices on the road, they find a newfound respect for each other's talents and start to face them together. In doing so, they would nurture a friendship and understanding that would change both their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

1960s | musician | segregation | christmas | friendship | 

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Taglines:

Inspired by a True Friendship

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic content, language including racial epithets, smoking, some violence and suggestive material

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Hungarian website

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian Russian German

Release Date:

16 November 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Green Book

Filming Locations:

Carnegie Hall, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$320,429, 18 November 2018

Gross USA:

$85,080,171

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$321,752,656

Company Credits

Production Co:

Participant, DreamWorks, Innisfree Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1) Dolby Surround 7.1 SDDS DTS (DTS: X)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the Vallelonga family scenes, Tony and Dolores' real family members play most of the relatives.

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Goofs

Tony talks to the stage manager in Indiana and complains about the piano not being a Steinway. Tony mentions Dr. Shirley's name and tells him he is the performer. The stage manager says "who is that?" and then makes a racial slur a few seconds later, but no one told him Dr. Shirley was black.

This does seem to be an error, but it's possible the stage manager didn't know the name of the person performing, but DID know that it was a black man. So, saying, "Who's that?" but using a racial slur moments later is entirely feasible.

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Quotes

Tony Lip: [Eating KFC in Kentucky] Mmm. I think this is the best Kentucky Fried Chicken I ever had. But I guess it's fresher down here, right?

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Crazy Credits

"Larry the Crow" gets a mention. This was an actual crow that Viggo Mortensen found injured near the set, and tried in vain to nurse back to health. He was no doubt named for Viggo's favorite soccer team, San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence in Spanish). The team nickname is "The Crows".

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: The Trump Prophecy (2019)

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Soundtracks

One Mint Julep
Written by Rudy Toombs (as Rudolph Toombs)
Performed by The Clovers
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV licensing

User Reviews

Greatful to have seen this

I saw this at the premier at TIFF and was thrilled to learn the story is about a real friendship. This is not a typical road movie, or buddy film. Given the lead actors, I knew it would be something special, and it is. Entertaining, funny in parts, hard to accept in others - as a white american who wasn't around in the 1960's, the racism was mind boggling and I couldn't help but feel shame. Green Book has so many layers - family, culture, honesty, dignity, genius, respect, acceptance, stereotypes, racism, music, class, friendship, and fried chicken. Whatever your views, race, or age - this film is not 'preachy', but you should appreciate an honest portrayal of a difficult time & place in history. I'll use the term an "unlikely friendship", but knowing the two men were real makes it fantastic. I'm so grateful to have learned about them and their lives. I only wish there had been a Q&A afterward.