Green Book

Continuing our quest to get a jump on seeing all of the potential Oscar Best Picture nominees, Sharon and I went to see Green Book at the Palladio 16 in Folsom. The film was chosen by the National Board of Review as the best film of 2018 and as one of the Top 10 by the American Film Institute. The film won several awards at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali).

Set in the Deep South in the 1960s, the movie follows a tour between African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and Italian-American bouncer Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen). Vallelogna served as Shirley's driver and bodyguard.

The screenplay was written in part by Vallelonga's son, Nick Vallelonga. It is a true story based on interviews with his father and Shirley, as well as letters his father wrote to his mother. The film is named after The Negro Motorist Green Book, a mid-20th century guidebook for African-American travelers written by Victor Hugo Green, to help them find motels and restaurants that would accept them.

I thought that the movie was very good. I really enjoyed it. I would guess that the movie as well as Mortensen and Ali will get Oscar nominations. I particularly enjoyed Viggo Mortensen's performance.