Green Book (2018)
The moment you see the protagonist of the film, Tony Vallelonga, an out-of-job New York Italian nightclub bouncer, chuck a pair of drinking glasses into the bin all because two black plumbers drank from it, you know what the story is all about and which direction the movie would progress. Sure enough, it turned out just like what you predicted. What keeps you glued to the screen, however, is the dialogue between Tony and his new employer, Doc Don Shirley, an accomplished musician, who turned of to be black. The sort of coming-of-age film turns out to be an eye-opener for both parties. For Tony, to accept people of colour for their character and for Doc, a realisation that even the whites go through hardship like the blacks. It was set in the heady times of 1962 when racial tension was a heated topic. There are numerous leg tapping songs of the era to transform viewers to a time when life was not (it never had been) had its own problems. Being politically correct was not one of them.
Tony's job was to drive Doc around the notorious Deep South for his private concerts. Doc was a classical pianist performing at various public performances and exclusive private gigs. He played with two accompanying musicians. This forms the basis of the movie. Just before they embark on the life-changing journey, somebody hands Tony the 'Green Book' to ease his travel.
A little bit info on the Green Book. A few years ago, its existence came to my knowledge via a podcast, ‘99% Invisible’.
Ever since the Negroes were liberated after the 1860s, they started going places. With the building of roads in the 20th century and the discrimination against black travellers in public transportations, the drive was there for Blacks to drive and own cars. This, they soon realised, had its own problems. They could not check-in into any motels at will. Not all diners were willing to serve them. Using washrooms were also an issue. Even, getting the proper service station was a problem. Blacks had to travel with prepared food and portable potty. They could face physical harm in specific locations called 'sundown town'.
The 'Green Book' was the brainchild of a Victor H Green, a WW1 veteran mailman, who wanted "to give the Negro traveller information that will keep him from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to make his trip more enjoyable." Esso, a gas station of the Standard Oil, owned by the Rockefellers, decided to tap on this market. They franchised black Americans to run their stations and sold the ‘Green Book’.
A feel-good movie that drives home the message of how wrong is it to stereotype someone. A person of a particular race is expected to act in a specific way. That person, if not responding in a pre-set manner is considered a sell-out by his own race. We cannot a person's educational level, socio-economic strata or social standing merely by his outward appearance.
https://asok22.wixsite.com/real-lesson
Tony's job was to drive Doc around the notorious Deep South for his private concerts. Doc was a classical pianist performing at various public performances and exclusive private gigs. He played with two accompanying musicians. This forms the basis of the movie. Just before they embark on the life-changing journey, somebody hands Tony the 'Green Book' to ease his travel.
A little bit info on the Green Book. A few years ago, its existence came to my knowledge via a podcast, ‘99% Invisible’.
Ever since the Negroes were liberated after the 1860s, they started going places. With the building of roads in the 20th century and the discrimination against black travellers in public transportations, the drive was there for Blacks to drive and own cars. This, they soon realised, had its own problems. They could not check-in into any motels at will. Not all diners were willing to serve them. Using washrooms were also an issue. Even, getting the proper service station was a problem. Blacks had to travel with prepared food and portable potty. They could face physical harm in specific locations called 'sundown town'.
The 'Green Book' was the brainchild of a Victor H Green, a WW1 veteran mailman, who wanted "to give the Negro traveller information that will keep him from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to make his trip more enjoyable." Esso, a gas station of the Standard Oil, owned by the Rockefellers, decided to tap on this market. They franchised black Americans to run their stations and sold the ‘Green Book’.
A feel-good movie that drives home the message of how wrong is it to stereotype someone. A person of a particular race is expected to act in a specific way. That person, if not responding in a pre-set manner is considered a sell-out by his own race. We cannot a person's educational level, socio-economic strata or social standing merely by his outward appearance.
https://asok22.wixsite.com/real-lesson
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