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 #130 | Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 49 wins & 84 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Viggo Mortensen	...	Tony Lip
Mahershala Ali	...	Dr. Don 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 with 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 heart to face them together. In doing so, they would nurture a friendship and understanding that would change both their lives.

---

Plot Keywords:

musician | segregation | christmas | friendship | 1960s | 

---

Taglines:

Inspired by a True Friendship

---

Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Filmnegah.com (Persian) Official Facebook

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$66,921,421, 19 February 2019

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$42,526,091, 17 January 2019

Company Credits

Production Co:

Participant Media, DreamWorks, Amblin Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1) Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mahershala Ali claims that, in their first production dinner to go over the script, Viggo Mortensen excitedly presented a selection of crucifixes and jade rocks to Peter Farrelly. ("Pete, I found a perfect jade rock!") Farrelly used that stone in the movie.

---

Goofs

The movie is set in late 1962 but several 1964 cars feature in various scenes. The opening in front of the Copa already has two '64 Chevrolets passing the club, while a '64 Ford Fairlane is across the street where Tony parks up his Packard when he returns home after learning the club would be closed for renovations. '64 Ford Fairlanes are also seen in some of the street traffic in various scenes, while the final time Tony is pulled over by a police cruiser has the office in a '64 Chevrolet.

---

Quotes

Tony Lip: You know, if this got out, it would kill your career.
Dr. Don Shirley: OK Tony, I need you to stop it with the phony altruism and concern for my career.
Tony Lip: The hell's that mean?
Dr. Don Shirley: You were only thinking about yourself back there because you know if I miss a show it'd come out of your pocketbook.
Tony Lip: Of course I don't want you to miss a show, you ungrateful bastard! You think I'm doing this for my health? Tonight I saved your ass! So show a little appreciation, maybe! Besides, I told you never to go nowhere without me!
Dr. Don Shirley: ....

---

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".

---

Connections

References Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

---

Soundtracks

O Come All Ye Faithful Jazz Trio
Written by John Francis Wade
Arranged and Performed by Stephen Rice (as Stephen J. Rice)
Courtesy of Crucial Music Corporation

User Reviews

I Was Captivated

I saw Don Shirley perform in college in 1966. At the time I simply thought he was a hell of a pianist, using that bass and cello to come up with a unique sound. So when this movie came along, I thought "I saw that guy!" I know the critics are being hard on this film, but I sat for two hours, totally captivated. I know there are stereotypes. Could that be because the repeated actions against minorities and the actions of racists have become so commonplace they seem like stereotypes. I believe the performances of these two fine actor made the show. There is a subtlety to this movie that transcends many others of its type. Yes, there are Southern cops; yes, there are men's rooms that are off limits; yes, there are simplistic views of racism by white New Yorkers. But what I got was a realistic presentation of an evolving friendship. Shirley is abrasive and self-centered; Lip is clueless most of the time. And I believed in them. See this film.