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 #127 | Won 3 Oscars. Another 50 wins & 92 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 | gay | color in title | 

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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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$85,080,171, 2 May 2019

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$319,737,361, 2 May 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 SDDS DTS (DTS: X)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Peter Farrelly, Viggo Mortensen was surprisingly insecure playing an Italian-American, despite being conversational in Italian. Mortensen insisted on gaining the weight to better get in character, even though Farrelly told him it was unnecessary since Mortensen looked nothing like the real Tony Lip anyway.

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Goofs

I find the issue of Tony's gun a puzzle. It was a surprise that he had a gun towards the end of the film when he used it to scare potential muggers away and it makes a funny scene but the fact that he had a gun would surely have been investigated in the hiring stage at the start as he was responsible for Don's safety and it surely would have been discovered during their arrest and incarceration in the cells. If it had been hidden in the car , why would it have remained a secret from Don over the weeks on the road and why would we the audience be unaware of it and indeed would the car have not have been searched as well?

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Quotes

Tony Lip: Ain't they supposed to be following us?
Dr. Don Shirley: They have the itinerary. As long as they get to the show on time, I'm not worried about it, and neither should you.
Tony Lip: I ain't worried about nothin'... In fact, when you see me worried? You'll know.
Dr. Don Shirley: Tony...
Tony Lip: You'll know if I'm worried...
Dr. Don Shirley: How 'bout some quiet time? Hmm?
Tony Lip: [Shrugging] Sure.
[Chuckles]
Tony Lip: It's amazing you said that. "How 'bout some quiet time?" Dolores, my wife, used to say that all the time... Well, not all the time but, y'know, she says it when, when...

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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

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Movies of 2018 (2018)

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Soundtracks

Tired of Hanging Around
Written by Ernest Suarez and Harry Simoneaux, Jr.
Performed by Bobby Page & The Riff Raffs
Courtesy of RAM Records
By arrangement with Fervor Records

User Reviews

"Green Book" is Gold

We loved Green Book along with the sold-out crowd who applauded loudly at the end. Based on true story of piano virtuoso, Don Shirley's road trip through the south during the 60's, the film pays tribute to his genius and courage as a black man who tries hard to soar above the ugliness of the times. The elegant trappings of his home and his success as a concert pianist leave him arrogantly cold and lonely, but his life begins to change when he hires Tony as his road trip driver. With a history as nightclub bouncer with Mafia connections in New York, Tony is the antithesis of Don's perfection and their evolving relationship on the road makes the movie soar above the ordinary and become magical. Viggo and Ali in the main roles are remarkable, and it's funny and endearing to watch them discard stereotypes and discover their mutual humanity. What we liked best is the movie teaches without preaching, it all unfolds through a myriad of natural moments between two great actors and a strong supporting cast. Top all this off with a really good soundtrack, excellent direction and production values, and an audience that laughed out loud and vigorously applauded at the end...this one is a true 10!