Green Book (Movie 2018)

Green Book is a motion picture that is inspired by a true story. It is set in 1962 when Dr. Don Shirley who is an African-American virtuoso concert pianist is about to begin a tour of the American deep south. He and his record company realize he will need a driver that could handle the possible situations a black man traveling in the south in the early 60s would run into and get him to his tour dates safely and on time. Hired for the job is Tony “Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) who is an Italian-American from the Bronx and a bouncer. The title of the movie comes from the book given to Tony by Dr. Shirley’s record company. The Negro Motorist Green Book was an actual publication that helped African-Americans navigate the segregated south by listing safe places for them to find food and lodging. Tony is prejudiced himself but a job is a job. During the journey both men learn to see things differently through each other’s eyes.   A striking realization was to see how Dr. Shirley felt like he did not belong anywhere. He had accomplished so much for an African-American at that time which made him feel out of place with his own race and white people did not accept him because he was black. There has been some controversy with this film with some who feel that once again Hollywood has taken away from the black community and literally whitewashed a story about one of their own including some of Dr. Shirley’s family members. I won’t argue with his family on their feelings or opinions because after all it is their family. But I can tell you this movie educated and entertained me. I had never heard about the Negro Motorist Green Book. This chapter of history I had never known. And the characters in the movie are so well drawn out. The acting by Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley has already won him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.