Green Book was an astounding critical and commercial success of 2018, winning numerous accolades such as an Oscar. The feel-good drama depicts an amazing true tale about Viggo Mortensen as Tony “Lip” Vallelonga who served as driver/bodyguar d to celebrated Black pianist Dr. Don Shirley (played by Mahershala Ali). While touring South during 1962 he needed someone trustworthy as driver/bodyguard; that person became Tony Vallelonga played by Viggo Mortensen as Dr Don Shirley became protected and chauffeur/bodyguard Tony “Lip”, played by Viggo Mortensen).
Green Book illustrates how empathy, compassion and human connection can bridge even deep segregated times by showing two vastly dissimilar men form an unlikely friendship despite having vastly differing backgrounds. Tony aids Don when faced with bigotry or discrimination at different venues he performs at. Green Book showcases how these qualities can overcome divisions caused by race relations despite living under such segregated times.
If you were inspired by Green Book and would like more movies like green book that explore unexpected friendships that challenge prejudice, here are five movies worth adding to your watchlist:
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Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Inspired by real events, depicts an unlikely friendship that develops between two individuals from very disparate backgrounds. Jessica Tandy plays Daisy, an elderly Jewish woman living in Jim Crow South who hires Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman), an African-American chauffeur as her driver despite initial reservations and resistance; together they gradually form an affinity that transcends race and class over their years together, providing viewers with an insightful examination of overcoming prejudice through human conne
The Intouchables (2011)
Based on true events, The Intouchables is an animated French comedy-drama film about Driss (Omar Sy), an unemployed youngster from a low-income housing project who gets hired as caretaker by Philippe (Francois Cluzet), an elderly aristocrat paralyzed from neck down who lives a wealthy lifestyle but cannot move limbs of any sort. Together they form an unlikely bond filled with humor, adventure, and compassion despite surface differences – much like Green Book does.
The Help (2011)
Set in 1960s Mississippi, The Help centers around an unlikely friendship between Skeeter (Emma Stone), an aspiring writer, and Aibileen and Minny (Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer), two Black maids who face racism and segregation while working for white families in Jim Crow South. Skeeter collects their stories undercover as she documents what life is really like for all three women working under Jim Crow conditions – through this relationship they form powerful ties across racial lines as she exposes what real racism involves for all three women working under Jim Crow South; ultimately this film emphasizes human dignity transcending bigotry.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Inspiring drama Hidden Figures tells the extraordinary true story of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), brilliant African-American NASA mathematicians during NASA’s 1960s space program despite racism and sexism within aerospace industry of that period; together these women form strong friendships while making significant contributions that shape space program’s progress despite prejudice while making impossible achievements possible through hard work!
Driving Lessons (2006)
In Driving Lessons, Nicholas Hoult plays shy, socially awkward teen Ben as he forms an unlikely alliance with Evie (Julie Walters), an eccentric actress neighbor from her generation that encourages him to come out of his shell and experience life despite his domineering mother’s controlling presence. It showcases how an unlikely bond between misfits from two generations can allow both to grow together as individuals while living life to its fullest.
These inspiring films center their narratives around the profound connections that can develop among disparate individuals when social barriers and biases are overcome. Their tales emphasize empathy, kindness, and humanism as key tools in uniting communities across divides. If you also want to get more movie recommendations, you can also get some great ideas from reel-best.com
If Green Book touched you deeply, take time out next time to watch one or all five heartwarming films about human triumphant spirit – they all celebrate friendship’s power to bridge divides and improve society as whole.