Green Book (2018) – A Journey Toward Understanding and Unexpected Friendship
A journey that changed two lives — and reminds us that understanding begins with a single conversation.
π Introduction
π A Note on This Film
Green Book won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019, but it also sparked important conversations about racial representation in cinema.
Some viewers and critics have noted concerns about the "white savior" narrative structure and the centering of Tony's journey over Dr. Shirley's experience. Director Spike Lee and members of Dr. Shirley's family have voiced their concerns about the film's approach.
This review acknowledges both the film's emotional resonance and its limitations. Cinema can be a starting point for dialogue—even when the film itself is imperfect.
In 1960s America, a time when racial prejudice was embedded in everyday life, an unlikely partnership begins.
Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), a tough-talking Italian-American bouncer, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a refined Black classical pianist, on his concert tour through the Deep South.
To navigate safely through segregated towns, they carry The Negro Motorist Green Book — a guide for Black travelers.
Thus begins an eight-week journey filled with clashes, discoveries, and moments of quiet transformation.
π¬ Film Overview
| Title | Green Book |
| Director | Peter Farrelly |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Cast | Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco |
| Genre | Biography, Comedy, Drama |
| Runtime | 130 minutes (2h 10m) |
| Based on | True story (1962 tour) |
| Language | English |
| IMDb Rating | 8.2/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 77% (Critics) / 91% (Audience) |
| Metacritic | 69/100 |
| Box Office | $321 million worldwide |
| Awards | Academy Award Best Picture (2019), Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) |
π£️ The Journey Begins
At first, the road feels long and awkward.
Tony's rough humor collides with Don's disciplined elegance. They argue over everything — from music to manners.
Yet, as miles pass, so do their assumptions.
Tony sees Don's loneliness behind his perfection; Don sees Tony's honesty behind his crudeness.
Gradually, judgment gives way to respect — and respect blossoms into friendship.
π¬ What Green Book Really Tells Us About Understanding
This film isn't just about racism. It's about the courage to understand — to reach across differences and see the human being on the other side.
When Tony finally calls Don his friend, and Don chooses to spend Christmas at Tony's family table, the moment feels small yet revolutionary.
They have changed — not the world, but each other.
Director Peter Farrelly, best known for his comedies, brings warmth and humor to a heavy subject. He doesn't rely on anger but on compassion.
Green Book gently reminds us that progress sometimes begins with a shared meal, a small kindness, or a long drive in a noisy car.
πΉ The Power of Music in Green Book
Music is the soul of Green Book.
Dr. Don Shirley's piano performances echo throughout the film — elegant yet melancholic, reflecting the loneliness of a man who belongs nowhere.
In contrast, Tony's loud presence represents life's messy rhythm — raw, real, and unfiltered.
Together, their worlds collide like classical meets jazz, creating an unexpected harmony that lingers long after the credits roll.
The open road becomes a metaphor for transformation. Every mile they travel is a step toward empathy — an acknowledgment that humanity transcends color, class, and culture.
π Personal Reflection
"I don't truly know someone until I understand why they do what they do."
This thought stayed with me long after watching Green Book. When was the last time you really tried to understand someone different from you—not to judge them, but to see them?
We meet friends, partners, neighbors. We tell ourselves we know them. But how many do we truly understand from the start? Even those closest to us—our families—remain mysteries in so many ways.
Understanding doesn't happen by accident. It requires something radical: opening the door to your own heart first. Not waiting for the other person to prove themselves worthy, but choosing vulnerability—showing just a small corner of who you are, flaws and all.
Or maybe it requires something quieter: the sensitivity to notice when someone else has cracked their door open, waiting to be seen.
Green Book shows us this beautifully. Tony and Don don't start as friends. They start as walls—frozen, guarded, certain of their differences. But mile by mile, meal by meal, the ice melts. Not because the world changed, but because they chose to see each other.
That's the remarkable thing about understanding. It doesn't demand perfection. It just asks for presence.
μ°¨κ°μ΄ μΌμλ²½μ μ¬λ₯΄λ₯΄ λ Ήμ μ§μ ν μ΄ν΄λΌλ λλΌμ΄ κ²°κ³Όλ₯Ό κ°μ Έμ¬ κ²μ λλ€.
(A reflection in my native Korean — because some truths about connection feel truer in the language closest to your heart.)
π A Journey That Changes Everything
When the journey ends, the world outside hasn't changed — but they have.
Don Shirley is no longer alone, and Tony has found something more valuable than money: genuine friendship.
The film closes with a simple dinner scene, yet it radiates warmth and reconciliation. It's not about victory or defeat — it's about connection.
π₯ What Makes This Film Special
Peter Farrelly's direction marks a dramatic departure from his comedy roots, proving his versatility as a filmmaker. The screenplay, co-written by Tony Vallelonga's son Nick Vallelonga, brings authenticity to the story — this isn't just cinema, it's memory.
Viggo Mortensen's transformation is remarkable — he gained 40-50 pounds for the role and delivers Tony Lip's Brooklyn swagger with perfect authenticity (impressive, considering he's Danish!).
Mahershala Ali won his second Academy Award for his nuanced portrayal of Dr. Don Shirley — a performance that captures both dignity and deep loneliness.
The chemistry between Mortensen and Ali elevates Green Book beyond a simple road movie into something profoundly human.
Composer Kris Bowers not only scored the film but also taught Ali basic piano skills and served as the hand double for close-ups. The soundtrack became the highest-streamed jazz soundtrack in Milan Records' history.
π― Who Should Watch This Film
You'll love Green Book if you:
- Appreciate true-story films with heart and humor
- Enjoy road movies with meaningful character development
- Value performances by Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen
- Want feel-good films with historical significance
- Believe in the power of friendship across differences
π Where to Watch
Green Book (2018) is available on:
- Netflix (varies by region - check your local Netflix)
- Paramount+
- Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy)
- Apple TV
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube Movies
- Vudu
Note: Availability varies by country. Check JustWatch for current streaming options in your region
π Final Thoughts
Beyond prejudice lies understanding. Beyond difference lies friendship.
Green Book asks us quietly: "When was the last time you truly tried to understand someone different from you?"
In a world that moves too fast and judges too quickly, this film offers a gentle reminder: that connection is possible, that walls can melt, and that sometimes the longest journey is the one from your assumptions to another person's truth.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Green Book based on a true story?
Yes, it's based on the real 1962 tour by Dr. Don Shirley and Tony "Lip" Vallelonga. The screenplay was co-written by Tony's son, Nick Vallelonga, based on interviews and letters.
What is the Green Book?
The Negro Motorist Green Book was a real travel guide published from 1936 to 1966, helping Black Americans find safe accommodations and services during segregation.
Did Green Book win any awards?
Yes, it won three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali). It also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Why was Green Book controversial?
Some critics, including Spike Lee, felt the film simplified racial issues and centered the white character's journey rather than Dr. Shirley's experience. Dr. Shirley's family also disputed some details.
How accurate is Green Book?
The film is "inspired by" true events rather than a documentary. While the friendship was real, some scenes were dramatized for cinema.
π¬ Join the Conversation
Have you watched Green Book? What moment resonated with you most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
π¬ More from Cinematic Sanctuaries
If you enjoyed Green Book, explore these films about connection and understanding:
- Driving Miss Daisy (1989) Review – Another story of unexpected friendship.
Comments
Post a Comment