Is The Green Book a True Story? Plot, Cast and More
by Vignesh L | Updated Jul 21, 2023
Green Book Movie
Green Book is a compelling 2018 biographical comedy-drama film skillfully directed by Peter Farrelly. The movie stars Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, drawing inspiration from a remarkable true story that took place in 1962. It revolves around an African American pianist named Don Shirley and an Italian American bouncer turned actor, Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga.
The heartwarming tale unfolds during a tour of the racially segregated Deep South, where Tony serves as Don Shirley's dedicated driver and protective bodyguard. The screenplay, co-written by Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga (son of Tony Lip), and Brian Hayes Currie, is based on insightful interviews with Tony Lip and Don Shirley.
Additionally, it incorporates touching letters Tony wrote to his wife, adding a personal touch to the narrative. The film's title, "Green Book," pays homage to the historical "The Negro Motorist Green Book," a guidebook created by Victor Hugo Green in 1936, which offered essential information for African American travelers until 1966.
Is the Green Book a True Story?
Yes, Green Book is indeed based on a true story. The 2018 biographical comedy-drama film, directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, draws its inspiration from the real-life events of a 1962 tour in the racially segregated Deep South.
The film follows the journey of African American pianist Don Shirley and Italian American bouncer-turned-actor Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga, who served as Shirley's driver and bodyguard during the tour. The screenplay, written by Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga (Tony Lip's son), and Brian Hayes Currie, is grounded in interviews with Tony Lip and Don Shirley, as well as heartfelt letters Tony wrote to his wife.
The title Green Book is derived from the historical guidebook "The Negro Motorist Green Book," founded by Victor Hugo Green in 1936, which provided crucial information for African American travelers until 1966.
Green Book Plot
The plot of Green Book revolves around the true story of a 1962 journey through the racially segregated Deep South taken by African American pianist Don Shirley and Italian American bouncer-turned-actor Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga.
The film begins with Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), a tough but good-natured bouncer working at the Copacabana club in New York City. Due to the club's temporary closure for renovations, Tony finds himself in need of work. He is offered a job as a driver for Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a talented and sophisticated African American classical and jazz pianist. Shirley is about to embark on a concert tour through the Deep South and requires a reliable driver and bodyguard.
Despite initial hesitation due to racial prejudice and misconceptions, Tony accepts the job and the two embark on their journey. The contrast in their personalities and backgrounds becomes evident as they face various challenges and racial tensions during their travels. As the tour progresses, the two men form an unexpected friendship, learning to appreciate and respect each other's perspectives and experiences.
Throughout the journey, Tony refers to a travel guide called "The Negro Motorist Green Book," which helps them find safe places for African American travelers in a racially segregated America. The guide becomes a symbol of the racism and discrimination that Shirley faces during the trip.
As they face bigotry and adversity, Tony and Don confront their own prejudices and come to understand the impact of racism on one another's lives. Don Shirley, as an accomplished artist, faces discrimination even in prestigious venues, which deeply affects him.
One pivotal moment occurs when Tony intervenes to protect Don from a group of racist attackers, highlighting the deep bond they have formed on their journey. Their friendship continues to grow, and they gain a deeper appreciation for each other's cultural backgrounds.
Toward the end of the tour, Tony learns that Don has been hiding his loneliness and estrangement from his family. Despite their friendship, Shirley struggles to connect with his own identity as a black man in America.
As the journey concludes, both Tony and Don have undergone profound personal growth and transformation. Tony's perspective on race has shifted, and he has developed a newfound respect for Don's artistry and intellect. For Don, the journey has taught him the value of genuine human connections and the importance of accepting his identity. In the end, Green Book is a powerful story of friendship, racial understanding, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, drawing inspiration from the true experiences of Don Shirley and Tony Lip.
Green Book Cast
Viggo Mortensen
Tony Lip
Mahershala Ali
Dr. Don Shirley
Linda Cardellini
Dolores (Tony's wife)
Sebastian Maniscalco
Johnny Venere
Dimiter D. Marinov
Oleg (Dr. Shirley's cellist)
Mike Hatton
George (Dr. Shirley's bassist)
Von Lewis
Bobby Rydell (Copa Singer)
Brian Stepanek
Graham Kindell (Country Club Manager)
Joseph Cortese
Gio Loscudo
Iqbal Theba
Amit (Don's servant)
P. J. Byrne
Record Exec
Don Stark
Jules Podell
Actor
Role
Where Can I Watch the Green Book?
You can enjoy the heartfelt and compelling film Green Book by streaming it on two popular platforms: Sony Liv and Lionsgate Play. With its captivating storyline and exceptional performances by Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip and Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley, the movie takes you on an inspiring journey of friendship and racial understanding during a challenging time in American history.
So, if you're looking for a powerful and thought-provoking cinematic experience, Green Book awaits you on Sony Liv and Lionsgate Play. However, please note that streaming availability may vary by region and could change over time, so it's always a good idea to check the current streaming platforms in your area to confirm where you can watch the film.
Green Book Trailer
Is the Green Book a True Story-FAQs
Yes, "Green Book" is indeed based on a true story, drawing inspiration from a 1962 tour through the racially segregated Deep South taken by African American pianist Don Shirley and Italian American bouncer-turned-actor Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga.
The main stars of "Green Book" are Viggo Mortensen, who plays Tony Lip, and Mahershala Ali, who portrays Dr. Don Shirley.
The title "Green Book" pays homage to the historical guidebook "The Negro Motorist Green Book," founded by Victor Hugo Green in 1936. The book provided essential information for African American travelers in a racially segregated America until 1966.
Green Book was skillfully directed by Peter Farrelly.
The central theme of "Green Book" revolves around friendship and racial understanding during a challenging time in American history, as depicted through the journey of Tony Lip and Dr. Don Shirley.