Review of the film 'Green book' (2018)

This is a film based on actual facts from the year 1962, a time when the racial segregation in the United States was in effect. Tony Vallelonga, an italo-american, works in one of the best restaurants in New York as a public relations and occasional bouncer – but then the restaurant closes for two months and Tony is forced to find another job. He gets called to work as a chauffeur for a black musician with the improbable name of Doctor Donald Shirley, driving him on an eight-week tour through the South of the United States. Because of segregation, black people are to be accommodated separately - hence the titular “Green book”, the accommodation guide for black people.

Tony, himself a racist, makes an effort to adapt to his new job. As for Donald, a classical pianist, is portrayed as highly educated, inflexible and kind of snob. Through the many stops and eventual problems of their journey they will develop a mutual understanding. The protagonists will encounter a series of incidents that will put them to the test. The story is, of course, a testimony of the racism existing at the time, and also a vindication of Donald Shirley's quiet fight for equality.

The script, original from Nick Vallelonga, obviously a descendant from the protagonist, makes a well-balanced recollection of stories but still has some holes to it. Donald Shirley is shown to be isolated most of the time – he doesn't even talk to the two Russian bass players that play with him on the tour, something unexplained.

The film is well-produced, portraying several places as they were at the epoch, with lots of actors on every location. The pace of the film is slow and the use of the camera sober, as adequate for a drama. The acting has a general good quality tone, and that's something Peter Farrelly's direction should be credited for. The music suits the action adequately.

As for the acting, this is the film of Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Viggo does a great job on being the film driver, guiding us through the story. Mahershala does an incredible job of portraying an isolated, educated man.  Linda Cardellini is a bit over-the-top playing Dolores, Tony's wife.

All in all, an excellent film. 4 out of 5.

Title:	Green Book
Genre:	Drama
Year:	2018
Nationality:	USA
Colour:	Colour
Director:	Peter Farrelly
Writer:	Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly
Cast:	Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, Mike Hatton, P.J. Byrne, Joe Cortese, Maggie Nixon, Von Lewis, Jon Sortland, Don Stark, Anthony Mangano, Paul Sloan, Quinn Duffy, Seth Hurwitz, Hudson Galloway, Gavin Lyle Foley, Rodolfo Vallelonga, Louis Venere, Frank Vallelonga, Don DiPetta, Jenna Laurenzo, Suehyla El-Attar, Kenneth Israel, Derrick Spears, Johnny Williams, Randal Gonzalez, Iqbal Theba, Sharon Landry, Nick Vallelonga, David An, Mike Cerrone, Peter Gabb, Gertrud Sigle, Geraldine Singer, Ron Flagge, Martin Bats Bradford, Ted Huckabee, Gralen Bryant Banks, Sam Malone, Floyd Miles, David Kallaway, James W. Evermore, Harrison Stone, Ricky Muse, Tom Virtue, Christina Simpkins, Kermit Burns III, Lindsay Brice, Shane Partlow, Daniel Greene, Brian Distance, Craig DiFrancia, Dennis W. Hall, Leslie Castay, David Simpson, Jim Klock, Billy Breed, Dane Rhodes, Brian Stepanek, Jon Michael Davis, Montrel Miller, Ninja N. Devoe, Brian Hayes Currie
Producer:	Jim Burke, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga, Charles B. Wessler
Co-producer:	James B. Rogers
Executive producer:	Steven Farneth, Jonathan King, Kwame L. Parker, Jeff Skoll, John Sloss, Octavia Spencer
Production designer:	Tim Galvin
Cinematographer:	Sean Porter
Film editor:	Patrick J. Don Vito
Casting:	Rick Montgomery
Art Director:	Scott Plauche
Set Decorator:	Selina van den Brink
Costume Designer:	Betsy Heimann
Music:	Kris Bowers
Running time:	130 minutes
Language:	English, Italian, Russian, German