A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver for an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
In 1962, tough bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga searches for work while his nightclub is closed for renovations. The most promising offer turns out to be the driver for African-American classical pianist Don Shirley for a concert tour into the Deep South states. Although hardly enthused at working for a Black man, Tony accepts the job and they begin their trek armed with "The Negro Motorist Green Book," a guide for safe travel through America's racial segregation. The snobbishly erudite pianist and the crudely practical bouncer can barely get along with their clashing attitudes to life and ideals. However, as the disparate pair witness and endure America's appalling injustices on the road, they find a newfound respect for each other's talents and start to face them together. In doing so, they nurture an understanding and a friendship that would change both their lives.—Kenneth Chisholm ([email protected])
New York City bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga is searching for new employment after his nightclub is closed for renovations, eventually landing an interview as a driver for "Doc" Don Shirley, a famed pianist. Their first encounter does not go well, as Tony's flippant, uncultured behavior clashes with Don's sophisticated, reserved demeanor. However, Don eventually hires Tony on the strength of others' word, as he needs someone to help him stay out of trouble during an eight-week concert tour through the Deep South. They embark with plans to return home on Christmas Eve. Don's recording studio gives Tony a copy of the "Green Book": a guide for Black travelers to find safe havens throughout the segregated South. As they begin the tour in the Midwest, then head further south, Tony and Don clash over their differences; Tony feels uncomfortable being asked to act properly, while Don is disgusted by Tony's habits. Regardless, Tony finds himself impressed with Don's talent on the piano--and increasingly disgusted by the discriminatory treatment the latter receives from the hosts when he is not on stage. After a bar incident leads to a group of white men threatening Don's life, Tony rescues him by threatening to pull a gun on them. He instructs Don not to go out without him for the rest of the tour.
Dr. Don Shirley is a world-class African-American pianist who is about to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South in 1962. In need of a driver and protection, Shirley recruits Tony Lip, a tough-talking bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx. Despite their differences, the two men soon develop an unexpected bond while confronting racism and danger in an era of segregation.—Jwelch5742
The Bronx, 1962. In a city divided by segregation, two men from opposite worlds, the elegant and distinguished African-American classical pianist Don Shirley and the tough Italian-American nightclub bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga, form an unlikely bond. Their story takes an unexpected turn when the Copacabana Club in New York City shuts down for renovation, and Don, accompanied by his newly hired chauffeur, sets out on an adventurous two-month concert tour in the racially divided Deep South. Armed with his talent, dignity, and a copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook for African-American travellers, Don chooses to take the challenging path for the sake of progress. But are Don's determination and resilience enough to break the barriers of racial discrimination, or will the journey's daunting challenges break his spirit? Can one person make a difference?—Nick Riganas
In 1962, New York City bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) is searching for new employment after the nightclub he works at is closed for renovations. Tony is racist (he refers to African Americans as eggplants), while his wife Dolores (Linda Cardellini) is not. Johnny (Sebastian Maniscalco) is Dolores' brother.Tony lives in a small apartment, with a large joint Italian family.
Tony made friends with mafia family head Gio Loscudo (Joseph Cortese) when he came to the club and check in his beloved hat with the coat check girl. Tony took the hat and later returned it to Loscudo after he had threatened to burn the club down. Loscudo thanks Tony and makes him a friend.To make money Tony enters a hot dog eating competition at a local restaurant who is offering $50 to the winner. Tony eats 26 and wins.
He is invited to an interview with "Doc" Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), an African American pianist who is looking for a driver for his eight-week concert tour through the Deep South. Don proposes to hire Tony on the strength of his references and the fact that Tony had a wealth of experience across various professions and had the ability to deal with trouble. Amit (Iqbal Theba) is Don's servant.
Tony lies that he has no issues working for an African American. The job pays $100 per week plus room and board. Don says that he wants Tony to be his driver, his personal assistant and his valet. Tony demands $125 per week and refuses to be Don's butler, but Don sends him back home.Meanwhile, a customer that Tony roughed up at the club turns out to be a big shot and the owner of the club is reluctant to let Tony back in. Tony has to pawn his watch for $50 to pay for expenses at home.The next morning Don calls Tony's home and speaks to Dolores. Don agrees to Tony's terms and takes Dolores' permission to take Tony away for 8 weeks. Dolores asks Tony to write to her regularly.
Oleg (Dimiter D. Marinov) is the cellist and George (Mike Hatton) is the bassist in Don's band.They embark with plans to return to New York on Christmas Eve. Tony is given a copy of the Green Book by Don's record studio: a guide for African American travelers to find motels, restaurants, and filling stations that would serve African Americans.
They begin the tour in the Midwest, and their first stop is Pittsburgh, before eventually heading further south. Tony and Don initially clash; as Tony feels uncomfortable being asked to act with more refinement, while Don is disgusted by Tony's habits (urinating by the wayside, not trusting Don at all, Gambling, Cursing, Diction, stealing, smoking). Tony decides to wait outside Don's performances when Don says that the organizers would want to introduce Tony, and his full name would be difficult for them. Don wanted Tony to shorten his surname, which he refused. Instead, Tony gathered all the drivers outside and started a gambling game.
As the tour progresses, Tony is impressed with Don's talent on the piano, and increasingly appalled by the discriminatory treatment the latter receives by their hosts and the general public when he is not on stage.A group of white men threaten Don's life in a bar and Tony rescues him. He instructs Don not to go out without him for the rest of the tour.Throughout the journey, Don helps Tony write letters to his wife, which deeply move her. Tony encourages Don to get in touch with his own estranged brother, but Don is hesitant, observing that he has become isolated by his professional life and achievements.
Don is found in a gay encounter with a white man at a YMCA pool and Tony bribes the officers to prevent the musician's arrest. Don is upset that Tony "rewarded" the officers for their treatment. Later, the two are arrested after a police officer pulls them over late at night in a sundown town and Tony punches him after being insulted.
While they are incarcerated, Don asks to call his "lawyer", and uses the opportunity to reach Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who orders the governor to release them. Tony is amazed by the experience, while Don is humiliated. This leads to an argument where Tony angrily considers himself "more African American" than Don. Having reached his breaking point, Don laments to Tony that his affluence prevents him from identifying with people of his race while his race prevents him from being accepted by white people, making him feel truly alone in the world. They eventually find a hotel for the night and manage to reconcile.
On the night of the final performance on tour in Birmingham, Alabama, Don is refused entry into the whites-only dining room of the hotel venue. Tony threatens the owner, and Don refuses to play since they refuse to serve him in the room with his audience. He and Tony then go to a predominantly African American blues club where Don rouses the crowd with his music, where Don joins the band on piano.
The pair head north in an attempt to make it home by Christmas Eve but are caught in a blizzard. They are then once again pulled over by a police officer. Worried they are about to get the same treatment; both are surprised when the officer turns out to be friendly and only pulled them over because he noticed one of their tires was flat. The officer then helps them fix the tire (and Don takes over the driving duties when Tony is too tired) and they are able to make it home.
Tony invites Don to have dinner with his family, but Don declines. Sitting alone at home, he changes his mind and returns to Tony's, where he receives a surprisingly warm welcome by Tony's extended family.
Don continued to tour and create music, while Tony went back to his work at the Copacabana, and that they remained friends until dying months apart in 2013.
