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 #125 | Won 3 Oscars. Another 50 wins & 89 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 Dyer - the Cellist
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.

---

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:

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:

$84,964,316, 18 April 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

Tony Lip's children were younger than portrayed in the film. Older child actors were cast in order to be eligible for more hours on-set per day.

---

Goofs

Viggo Mortensen's wrist tattoo is visible when Tony salutes Dolores as he's setting off on the trip. It is covered in other scenes where his wrists are exposed.

---

Quotes

Tony Lip: You know, Doc, something's been eatin' at me this whole trip.
Dr. Don Shirley: Hmm?
Tony Lip: [Using a friend's nickname for Pittsburgh, from the reputed large endowments of its female residents] That Titsburgh was a major disappointment. I didn't notice any difference at all. Did you?
Dr. Don Shirley: Good night, Tony.

---

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

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: Life-Size 2/Green Book/The Wife (2018)

---

Soundtracks

The Christmas Song
Written by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé
Performed by Nat 'King' Cole
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

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.