Green Book is a 2018 American biographicalcomedy-drama film directed by Peter Farrelly. Set in 1962, the film is inspired by the true story of a tour of the Deep South by African American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and Italian AmericanbouncerFrank 'Tony Lip' Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) who served as Shirley's driver and bodyguard.
Green Bookis a 2018 American comedy-drama directed and co-written by Peter Farrelly. It is an American story about the Italian-American driver/bouncer for a Jamaican-American black pianist named Don Shirley, who toured the Deep South in 1962. The film is based on a true story, and the script took its lead from a book written by the driver's son as well as a famous guidebook called The Negro Motorist Green Book, which helped black Americans find lodging and food throughout the country during a time of racial segregation.
The film stars Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen in the lead roles and received mostly good reviews. At a screening of the film, Quincy Jones, who knew the real Don Shirley personally, praised Mahershala Ali's performance and the film more generally. It was nominated for five Academy Awards.
In spite of the perceived success of the film, it was also a controversial release. Some viewers criticized its depiction of a 'white savior' narrative, in which a black man's humanity is only brought into relief through the recognition of the white protagonist. Additionally, Don Shirley's family did not approve of the film, complaining that it misrepresented their relationship with him as well as Shirley's relationship to Vallelonga. Don Shirley's brother was quoted as saying, 'My brother never considered Tony to be his 'friend'; he was an employee, his chauffeur (who resented wearing a uniform and cap). This is why context and nuance are so important. The fact that a successful, well-to-do black artist would employ domestics that did NOT look like him, should not be lost in translation.'
- Book of Nursery Rhymes, The Runaway Bunny, Alice in Wonderland. (He ignores the adult books - The Da Vinci Code, Twilight, The Guardian, Bittersweet Love, The Shack.) Ma can't hide her revulsion at Dylan the Digger again. MA Come on, you can read Dylan yourself. JACK I can read them all but I like when you do. Ma recites animatedly.
- Thir13en Ghosts by Neal Marshall Stevens (based on the screenplay by Robb White) revised by Richard D'Ovidio. Thirteen Ghosts by Neal Marshall Stevens (based on the screenplay by Robb White) revised by Richard D'Ovidio. This Boy's Life by Robert Getchell based on the book by Tobias Wolff. Three Days of the Condor by Lorenzo Semple & David Rayfiel.
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