Mjeteconer Just perfect...

ShangLuda Admirable film.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

moonspinner55 Writer-director Paul Mazursky's ode to his colorful hungry years, and the experience of leaving home for the first time and setting out on your own. Cheeky Jewish graduate from Brooklyn in 1953 relocates to the Village, getting an apartment, a semi-serious girlfriend, and a spot in the avant garde crowd. Though his mother disapproves, our hero, working in a health food shop, studies to be an actor, gets his girl pregnant, and clearly sees the dreams and hopes of his new friends flair up and fizzle out--yet never losing his own personal ambition. Mazursky, who also co-produced the film, has created a meticulously-detailed encapsulation of a particular time and place, peopled with characters one can easily recognize. There's a sweet simplicity in the protagonist's friendships--and with his over-protective parents--but nothing is really nuanced for us. Mazursky lays it all right there on the surface (which is why the film will work best on a first-time viewing: everything you need to catch can be caught). While it isn't always subtle, and the gloppy cinematography and poor lighting sometimes causes the actors to look a bit frightful, the movie has a very big heart. This is detectable early on, yet it isn't until the finale that you come to appreciate what the characters have gone through (the parents as well). The picture is also a showcase for lots of budding talent circa 1976, with Chris Walken, Antonio Fargas, Dori Brenner, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Egan, and John C. Becher all doing terrific bits of business. In the lead, Lenny Baker is photographed very badly (with his jagged teeth glinting in the movie lights), but he warms to his role, and by the finish has created a three-dimensional man whom we really hope will succeed. **1/2 from ****

Stephen Alfieri "Next Stop, Greenwich Village" is the semi-autobiographical tale of young Paul Mazursky. It is an often nostalgic, sentimental look back at a magical place called Greenwich Village, during a still innocent, idealistic early 1950's.The story revolves around young Larry Lapinsky, played marvelously by Lenny Baker. Larry is moving out of his parents apartment in Brooklyn and moving to Manhattan to become the next Marlon Brando. We are introduced to his bohemian friends, all of whom are trying to evolve into a true Greenwich Village "artist" or is it "artiste".We also meet Larry's parents, who may just be the original stereotypes of the smothering Jewish mother, and quiet but authoritative, Jewish father. Larry's mother is the type who will travel 20 miles out of her way, and tell her son that she was "in the neighborhood". She is also an overbearing button pusher, trying to control Larry and his relationship with his girlfriend.The cast is top notch with early performances by Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, and Ellen Greene standing out. Shelly Winters is excellent as Fay, Larry's mother. Lou Jacobi is another standout as Larry's employer, and watch during a bar scene, when Larry first moves to the Village, for a quick glimpse of Bill Murray.Mazursky is famous for putting elements of his life on the screen. No one can deny that at the end of the movie, when Larry leaves New York to go to California to appear in a movie, that it is identical to Mazursky's leaving New York to be in "The Blackboard Jungle". He was also one of the new breed of filmmaker's that made the late '60's to mid '70's a truly golden era for fresh, new, ideas in writing and directing films."Next Stop, Greenwich Village" is at times a little self-indulgent, and too long, but is still an appealing look back at a time when everything was possible, as told by a true visionary filmmaker.6 out of 10

Petri Pelkonen This movie is set to 1953 in Greenwich Village, New York.It's a place that's ahead of it's time.There's more tolerance than elsewhere and the 50's doesn't seem like the 50's.Paul Mazursky's Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976) shows us the most interesting characters.Larry Lapinsky is a young Jewish actor wanna-be.He's played by the very talented Lenny Baker, who died way too young.His over-protective mother Fay is played by the legendary Shelley Winters and father Ben by Mike Kellin.Larry's girlfriend Sarah is played by Ellen Greene.Young Christopher Walken is Robert and young Jeff Goldblum is Clyde Baxter.Also young Bill Murray can be seen there.Antonio Fargas gives out an amazing performance as Bernstein, an African-American gay who pretends to be a Jew. This movie is very much underrated.I don't see why.It is often very funny, like in the scene where Larry gives an Oscar speech in the street.It's partly also very sad, like when one of the friends has committed suicide and Bernstein becomes very depressed.So this is a movie that may make you laugh and cry.The comedy can in some parts be pretty tragical like in the Chaplin movies.You can laugh with tears in your eyes while watching this movie.

steve_jacobs I felt like this is what life must truly have been like in the Village in '53. Everything was in order. I was transported. Special kudos go out to Antonio Fargas, who plays a gay man in a tremendously ballsy portrayal considering his Starsky and Hutch days. Also, to the great chemistry of the cast.It was sad to see Lenny Baker passed away at such a young age. He was definitely in the Hoffman, Pacino, but funnier mold. He should be remembered.