Set in America in 1962 , Green book tells the true story of Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) a working class Italian-American who takes on a job as a chauffer for Dr Shirley Ali (Mahershala Ali) a highly educated African-American musician. At the heart of the film is the theme of friendship. Its definitely a feel good heart warming film that is for sure.

The film opens with a scene of tony as a barman in a very swanky speakeasy with a cheesy musician and drinks flowing. Tony’s job is to make sure that there is no trouble in the club. He gets into a fight with on of the revellers and easily wins showing that every good club needs a bit of muscle. Tony is known for being a bit of a fighter hence his name ‘Tony the Lip’. He finds out the club will be closing for a couple of months and wonders what he will be doing for work to provide for his family living in downtown Queens. Tony determined winner takes all attitude is a preponement character trait that makes him all the loveable.

The plan is to drive through Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and down through the delta. Dr. Don is worried that the job isn’t write for him because he has a family and he will be gone for weeks on end. But this does not stop Don from meeting Tony’s reputation as a no-nonsense fighter is perfect for the job and he thanks him for stopping by. Tony is then offered are more dangerous job but thinking if his family he kindly refuses. Feeling uneasy about working for a black man he talks to his wife about it and surprise, surprise she is able to convince him to take it. Tony’s wife Delores wants him to write letters and makes him promise that he will

The long journey is an opportunity to learn more about each other and at first they don’t seem to get along but as time goes on they get on like a house on fire. Introducing each other to their worlds. In the car journey they discuss music on the radio that he has not heard of Aretha Franklyn, Chubby Checker, Little Richard or Sam Cooke. Very special artists from this era, this because Don has a very sheltered taste in music and Tony has opened up a whole door of music to him.

In a later scene we see Tony introducing Don to Kentucky Fried Chicken, he is cautious about getting the grease on his hands but turn out to really enjoy it to Tony’s surprise! Dr Don educates Tony on life in generally giving him a high eyebrow look into what is like to be highly educated and loving classical music. As well as introducing him to techniques to improve his diction because he believes that he can do better, and better speaking writing skills he achieves with a bit of work. As well as becoming honest and trustworthy! But Tony does struggle against his better judgement in a hall that Don is playing in and slaps the caretaker and then takes some time to write to his wife to tell her how the trip is going.

They arrive in Louisville and the motel is nothing like the green book and they are surprised, Don settled in and tries and fails to make friends. He takes the time out to have a cigarette and rejects an offer to play dominos to go to the bar by himself. He is attacked by a group of white men in the bar and Tony gets him off him and defuses the situation with his charm and whit. Tony then tries to explain to him why going to the bar is dangerous and says that he can’t go any where without him which is probably for the best. That night he has a gig in front of a sold out crowed and thanked the crowd before he left the stage.

Don refuses to use an outside bathroom and get Tony to drive him all the way back to his motel. Tony explains that it is no such a big deal but Don is not having it explain that he is not an animal and he deserves to use a proper bathroom. Its hard to believe that not so many years ago there was segregation and open racism in America and it looks like not much has changed (maybe I wont talk about American politics I don’t think I know enough about it)

Tony writes a letter to his wife with Don’s help gives him such flare and really gets his wife attention. Which is really sweet! I especially enjoyed how it was a team effort, proving that people from two different races can get a long and work together custom to popular belief. Tony’s willing to learn new thing just cements him as a character that is so endearing and lovely we could all use a friend like him!

Don walks in on him after being arrested, using his sweet charm to bribe the officer to set him free for spending time with another man. Tony suggests that they should take the money to buy themselves a nice suit and officers accept the money. Don points out that Tony fuelled the problem by giving them the money. Then Tony rightfully points out that his job is to get them from a-b and he achieved that not understating that a valid point had been made. Saying that if people found out that he is gay he would not have a career (not that anything like being gay is something to be ashamed never stop following your dreams!!!). Assuming that this would be an exception but he couldn’t been more wrong perhaps if Tony was there the arrest might not have happened! He then apologise for last night putting that little argument to bed.

Tony and Don are stop by the police because of them driving through a ‘sunset town’ (whatever that means) where coloured people are not aloud to be outside after sundown. Don tries to reason with officers but they don’t take on board what he has suggested that he had not done anything wrong it was Tony driving that he should be arrested. Tony ended up punching the police officer and got done for assault Angry and annoyed Don explains that would not of happened if Tony stuck to driving as well as he normally does and why does he always get treated badly because of his skin. He ended up calling the President to get him out of jail, narrowly making it to their show in Birmingham that last one

Tony wants to discuss the way that Don behaves is not the stereotypical black person, Don takes offence to that and says ‘that if he’s not black enough or white enough what am I?!’ That many people can identify with, I myself often question who I am and why I don’t seem to fit well in society but all that changes when you feel comfortable in your own skin.

In conclusion I have learned that friendships can be formed in different places no matter the circumstances no matter who the person that they love and you are not defined by the skin you are in. Green Book is now streaming on Amazon Prime

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