The Green Book 2018

     The setting of this film is in the fall of 1962.  Tony “Tony Lip” Vallegonga is a tough Italian bouncer in a night club.  He’s looking for work because his nightclub is closed for renovations.  His most promising offer is to drive for the classical pianist Dr. Don Shirley.  Don is traveling for a concert tour into the Deep South states.  Tony accepts the job but he’s not trilled!!  They start out on their trek with the Green Book.  This is a travel guide for safe travel through America’s racially segregated south.  Don is a snobbish pianist and Tony is crudely practical.  Their clashing attitudes about life and their ideals cause them to barely get along!!  As they begin to witness and endure injustices on the journey, they have a new respect for their talents.  A friendship and understanding emerged that would change both their lives.

     I knew right away there would be problems when Don Shirley ventured into the Deep South because of race relationships.  I didn’t know until a heard about this film that there was a Green Book?  It was first published in 1936 and the last publication date was 1966.  It is one of the best known of the travel guides.  Written by Victor H. Green, a WWI veteran from New York City.  He worked as a mail carrier and later as a travel agent.  His intention for publishing the book was to keep people from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to make a trip more enjoyable.  In this time period, there were many whites only establishments.  Tony is a funny character but he’s great to have around when there is any kind of trouble!!  4 ½* (I really liked this movie)

 

130 min, Bio directed by Peter Farrelly with Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, Mike Hatton, P.J. Byrne, Joe Cortese, Maggin Nixon, Von Lewis, Jon Sortland, Don Stark Anthony Mangano, Paul Sloan, Quinn Duffy.

Note:  Imdb 8.2 out of 10, Rotten Tomatoes 78% critic 91% audience, Roger Ebert 3* Christy Lemire, The Guardian 3* out of 5* Wendy Ide, Empire Online 4* out of 5* John Nugent, Metacritic 69 out of 100 with 52 critics (37 positive, 13 mixed, 2 negative), Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 2328 reviews, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen age 13+ 4* out of 5*, 4* positive, 3* role, 3* violence, 2* sex, 4* language, 1* consumerism, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking.

Special Note:  Filmed in Burnside, Madeville, New Orleans, Hammond, Metairie, Amite, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Awards:  Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Screenplay; BAFTA Best Supporting; Critics’ Choice Best Supporting, Golden Globe Best Picture, Best Supporting and Best Screenplay; Screen Actors Outstanding Performance for Male Actor; AACTA Best Supporting; Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice Award for Peter Farrelly; Producer Guild for Best Theatrical Motion Picture to Nick Vallelonga, Peter Farrelly, Brian Currie; National Board of Review for Best Film.