Green Book: A Road Movie on Race and Friendship
Peter Farrelly's 'Green Book' (2018) tells the true story of Don Shirley, a refined Jamaican-American pianist, and his Italian-American driver Tony Vallelonga during a 1962 tour through the segregated American South. The film's title references the Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide for African-American travelers in the Jim Crow era. Mahershala Ali plays Shirley, Viggo Mortensen plays Tony. The screenplay by Nick Vallelonga is based on his father's memories. The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival. It draws comparisons to 'Driving Miss Daisy' (1989) but with reversed roles. The narrative explores racial prejudice, identity, and friendship, culminating in a Christmas reunion. The film balances comedy with drama, addressing civil rights struggles and personal transformation.
Key facts
- Peter Farrelly directed 'Green Book', his first solo directorial effort without brother Bobby.
- The film is set in 1962, following Don Shirley and Tony Vallelonga on a concert tour.
- Don Shirley was a New York-based pianist of Jamaican origin.
- Tony Vallelonga was an Italian-American from the Bronx.
- The title refers to the Negro Motorist Green Book, published 1936-1966.
- Mahershala Ali stars as Don Shirley, Viggo Mortensen as Tony Vallelonga.
- The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival in 2018.
- The screenplay was written by Nick Vallelonga, Tony's son.
- The film has been compared to 'Driving Miss Daisy' (1989) with roles reversed.
- The story includes themes of civil rights, segregation, and identity crisis.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Farrelly
- Mahershala Ali
- Viggo Mortensen
- Nick Vallelonga
- Don Shirley
- Tony Vallelonga
- Spike Lee
- Richard Wright
- Ralph Ellison
- Morgan Freeman
- Jessica Tandy
- Bruce Beresford
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Franco La Cecla
- Eric J. Leed
- Carlotta Petracci
Institutions
- Artribune
- White
- Rome Film Festival
Locations
- New York
- Bronx
- Mason-Dixon line
- Southern United States
- Rome
- Italy