Entertainment

Green Book

What is green book?

Updated August 3, 2026 · Emily Grant

Key facts

Title	Green Book^[1]
Year	2018^[1]
Director	Peter Farrelly^[1]
Starring	Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali^[1]
Setting	1962 American South^[2]
Title meaning	The Negro Motorist Green Book^[4]

Green Book is a 2018 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Farrelly, based on the true story of a 1962 tour through the American South.

Context

Green Book is a 2018 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Farrelly about an Italian-American bouncer who becomes the driver and bodyguard for African-American pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the 1962 American South ^[2]. The title refers to *The Negro Motorist Green Book*, a travel guide used by Black travelers during segregation ^[4]. The film explores themes of racism and segregation in the American South ^[3].

Documented claims

The film is based on a true story of a 1962 tour by Don Shirley and Frank 'Tony Lip' Vallelonga. ^[2]
The title refers to The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide used by Black travelers during segregation. ^[4]

Questions and answers

What is the true story behind the Green Book?

The film is based on a true story of a 1962 tour by Don Shirley and Frank 'Tony Lip' Vallelonga ^[2].

Why was the Green Book so controversial?

The film's title refers to The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide used by Black travelers during segregation, and the story highlights racism and segregation in the American South ^[4] ^[3].

Does the Green Book still exist today?

The film is set in 1962, and the travel guide it references was used during segregation ^[2] ^[4].

Sources

Green Book movie review & film summary (2018) - Roger Ebert — rogerebert.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
Green Book (2018) - Plot — imdb.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
Movie Review: Green Book — opsouth.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
Green Book — rottentomatoes.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Entertainment