Revisiting 'Green Book': A Comedy, a Friendship, and the Missed Opportunity to Confront History

(Source: IMDb, 2018)

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Green Book (2018) is "inspired" by the friendship between Tony Vallelonga, an Italian-American driver and bodyguard from the Bronx, and Don Shirley, a black pianist whom Vallelonga is recruited to transport and defend on a 1962 concert tour of the Deep South. Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen perform excellently in Peter Farrelly's feel-good picture. Green Book won three Golden Globes, including Best Comedy, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, which was not unexpected. This film is set in the past, about a road trip, and is a comedy starring two buddies. This movie is based on a real tale, has two remarkable performances, and encourages viewers to overcome prejudice.

The Green Book provides a list of inviting destinations for African Americans. As the middle class expanded in the mid-twentieth century, more people purchased vehicles and paid for vacations. For the first time, the majority of the country's population had access to newly constructed roadway infrastructure. Wide highways represented freedom, and driving expressed Americans' self-image as independent, daring, and adventurous. Throughout the 1960s, the highway became the most popular mode of transportation for American families. Motels and tourist attractions are spread along the route to enable tourists sleep and dine. However, not all Americans had this independence. Black drivers were forbidden from visiting wayside motels, gas stations and eateries. In certain areas, abandoning the automobile was perilous. African Americans were sometimes forcibly ejected at night. Families of colour were required to take prepared meals and extra petrol in case they were unable to locate restaurants or petrol stations that served them.

The Green Book mainly was a symbol. This film was largely focused on the concept of authorised vs. banned, namely where and what black people were permitted to be and do, and where and what they were not. It served as a guidebook for black passengers, directing them to the safest paths to avoid disruption.

The authors and director did an excellent job describing the Green Book without being unduly long. Tony's change from prejudice to openness and the lack of animosity was effective. He felt compelled to respond to the South's hostile hatred. Because of his acts, he no longer considered racism acceptable.

Surprisingly, the two never discuss the existence, history, or necessity of the Green Book. Instead of presenting or addressing the original Green Book, the film's end credits feature the two guys and describe what happened to Tony and Shirley following the journey. The film's title represents a squandered chance. Using the name of a contentious historical event to produce a feel-good comedy is a mistake. Green Book has many great aspects as a classic Hollywood flick. Nevertheless, as a film adaptation of Victor Greene's novels, it bears a great deal of responsibility.