The Green Book
The movie Green Book is based on a true story set in the 1900's, where an Italian bouncer named Tony Vallelonga agrees to become the driver and bodyguard of African American pianist Dr. Don Shirley. The story is happening during the Jim Crow Era, a period when slavery had been abolished through the thirteenth amendment, yet racial segregation and discrimination remained deeply entrenched in American society. This film shows the unlikely friendship between Tony and Dr. Don Shirley as they navigate together through a racially hostile environment across the American South.
Tony Vallelonga: A Journey of Change
My opinion of Viggo Mortensen playing Tony Lip was that he did an exceptional job of being a regular Italian of a middle class family. His character did change throughout the movie by being described as "casual racism" when he throws away glasses that black workers had used in his home, viewing them as contaminated to become very close friends with Dr. Don Shirley. His employment with Dr. Shirley becomes a transformative experience. Through their travels and shared experiences, Tony gradually learns to see beyond skin color and recognize the humanity in others. His journey represents the possibility of personal growth and the power of direct human connection.
By the end of their journey, Tony did point to the future by evolving from a man who casually discriminated to someone who genuinely values and protects his friend, regardless of race.
Dr. Don Shirley: Talent in a Divided World
Dr. Don Shirley was an extraordinarily talented pianist who performed across the country. Despite his fame and talent, he faced constant rejection and hostility from white audiences who struggled to accept a black man as their entertainment. His performances were often met with appreciation for his artistry, yet followed by social rejection and discrimination.
My thoughts on Dr. Don Shirley being played by Mahershala Ali was incredible. I think he did such a great job playing Shirey. He learned that he shouldn't judge others by their race too, which means that not all white men are the same. What I made of the line "If I'm not black enough, if I'm not white enough, if I'm not normal enough, then what am I?" was that he felt like he couldn't fit into the society of any race. Dr. Shirley's character represents the reality of being caught between two worlds. He felt like an outsider in both white and black communities, not feeling sophisticated enough to fully belong in white society, yet feeling disconnected from black culture and community. This struggle highlights the psychological toll of segregation, showing how systemic racism created identity crises even for the most accomplished individuals.
An Unlikely Bond
The relationship between Tony and Dr. Shirley develops gradually as they travel through the segregated South. Their journey forces them to confront not only external racism but also their own internal biases and preconceptions. Tony learns to see Dr. Shirley as a complete person rather than a stereotype, while Dr. Shirley discovers genuine friendship and loyalty in someone he initially viewed with suspicion.
What the Movie Taught Me
The movie provided valuable insight into life during the Jim Crow Era, illustrating how African Americans were treated even after the thirteenth amendment abolished slavery. The film demonstrated that legal freedom did not translate to social equality, showing how "separate but equal" policies created systematic discrimination in restaurants, hotels, and public spaces.
If I was a talented Black musician, artist, dancer, or writer faced with a society that tries to keep me from contributing to its culture would be to speak out by starting several boycotts. By doing this I believe it would have little to no effect on what the white people would think about you but, I do think it is better than staying silent than having people walk all over you because of your race. What American arts and culture would be like today if the segregationists had succeeded and prevented African Americans and other people of color from contributing to our cultural heritage would be millions of riots. The U.S. is made of so many races and if the segregationist won, today’s world would not even exist due to the unpopular thought of racism.
The story revealed the meaningful transformation possible between people from different backgrounds. In our divided world today, the film offers hope that genuine friendship can develop between people of any race when they approach each other with openness and respect.
Green Book Movie
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