Green Book Parent Guide

Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortenson) can’t understand how his boss, the gifted African American concert pianist Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) maintains his composure and performs exquisite music in front of audiences who will not allow him to shop in their stores or stay in their hotels because of his race. “Genius is not enough,” explains the cellist from his trio. “It takes courage to change people’s hearts.”

Green Book is a tribute to that courage. In 1962, it is an act of real bravery for an African American artist to sign up for a concert tour in the Deep South. In fact, the film takes its name from the real “Green Book”, a travel guide for African Americans. Reflecting the reality of the discriminatory Jim Crow laws prevalent in the Southern States, this guide listed hotels, motels, restaurants and other businesses that would serve African American customers. It also warned its readers about “sundown towns” – which required non-whites to be outside municipal boundaries before sunset.

Given the dangers of his decision, Dr. Shirley wisely advertises for a driver who can also provide physical protection. He winds up with Tony Vallelonga, a recently laid off bouncer from the Copacabana night club. Tony is quick with his fists, quicker with his mouth, and ethically challenged. He also harbors prejudice against people of color. Clearly, this road trip is going to be a bumpy ride.

This oddball buddy movie works surprisingly well thanks to standout performances by both Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortenson. Ali invests his character with patrician dignity that comes just short of arrogance while also projecting his vulnerability, isolation, loneliness and bottled up rage. And Mortenson pushes his soft-hearted-tough-guy character beyond stereotypes as he learns to appreciate his employer’s talent and inner strength. Both men recognize each other’s humanity and develop a genuine friendship on their risky road trip.

While the main characters learn valuable lessons over the course of the story, parents will not be happy with some of the extra-curricular lessons in this film. The PG-13 rating is appropriate: this movie is totally unsuitable for children. Parents considering Green Book for their teens will want to consider the extensive profanity in this production: there are over five dozen curses, including two sexual expletives and multiple racial and ethnic slurs. There are also several fight scenes and firearms are occasionally seen, although no one is shot. Substance use is also troubling: Tony smokes almost continuously throughout the film and Dr. Shirley attempts to mask his emotional stress with nightly drinking, becoming intoxicated on more than one occasion. Sexual content is limited to one scene where Dr. Shirley and a white man are arrested at a YMCA for implied homosexual activities. The two are shown naked, sitting on the change room floor. (No genitals are visible.) Frankly, this scene does not feel credible: it is hard to believe that a man as intelligent as Dr. Shirley would take the enormous risk of conducting an illegal homosexual relationship. With a white man. In a public place. In the deep South. It is simply too hazardous, not only to his personal safety but also to his career. (Tony’s matter of fact reaction is also pretty hard to believe, given the times.)

Viewers who are prepared to sit through the negative content will find many positive messages in Green Book. “Thank you for your hospitality,” says Dr. Shirley without a shred of irony in his voice, as he plays a concert in a town where he can’t stay in a decent hotel. His composure does not falter as powerful, passionate music flows through his fingers and his beloved Steinway grand piano. And he teaches Tony about dignity, self-respect, and self-control. After Tony punches a police officer and gets them both thrown in jail, Dr. Shirley berates him, “So that little temper tantrum…was it worth it? You only win when you maintain your dignity. Dignity always prevails.” Tony, in turn, teaches Dr. Shirley that dignity is cold comfort unless it is accompanied by friendship, kindness and loyalty. Unlike the world of the Jim Crow South, this buddy picture has something for everyone.