Diane and I planned to seeGreen Book weeks ago but the Polar Vortex and series of curious events delayed us. Finally, we saw Green Book in a surprisingly large audience at our local Regal Theater. Viggo Mortensen plays Tony Vallelonga (aka, “Tony Lip”), a Bronx bouncer. It’s 1962 and Tony finds himself out of work when the Copa Cabana is closed for “renovations.” He applies for an 8-week gig. Mahershala Ali brilliantly portrays Dr. Don Shirley, a gifted Black pianist and composer, who has voluntarily booked a series of performances in the Deep South. Although Dr. Shirley is classically trained, his record company and his handlers prefer he play jazz that appeals to the white audiences who come to listen Shirley’s performances. Dr. Shirley needs a driver and chooses Tony.

Sure, Green Book blends Buddy Movie, Road Trip Movie, The Odd Couple, and Driving Miss Daisy into an entertaining mix with aspects of dread. The trip through Jim Crow South, with its “sundown” towns (where African-Americans faced death if they were out in the evening), White-only restaurants, hotels, and other public establishments adds danger to every day. Tony uses the Green Book–the actual guide that “gives the Negro traveler information that will keep him from running into difficulties, embarrassments and make his trips more enjoyable”–to plan their trip. But trouble is always lurking and Tony saves Dr. Shirley several times.

“Inspired” by the true story of this trip, the script of Green Book was co-written by Vallelonga’s son Nick. Director Peter Farrelly shows how movies should be made. GRADE: A