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

Lee Eisenberg The previous reviewer said that "Next Stop, Greenwich Village" was one of the last chances to show Greenwich Village in its original form before it got gentrified. I have to admit that I wouldn't have known that. But whether or not one knows that, the movie is still fairly enjoyable, as a young man (Lenny Baker; happy birthday, Lenny!) moves to the area hoping to make something of himself. I will say that it seems sort of like Paul Mazursky made the movie more to please himself than anything else, as the movie drags at times. But overall, it's a pretty enjoyable flick. Also starring Shelley Winters, Ellen Greene, Lois Smith, Christopher Walken, Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear on "Starsky and Hutch"), Lou Jacobi and Jeff Goldblum.

amosduncan_2000 I'm with the room, this film has been sadly overlooked as it was at the time of it's release (even Mazursky champion Pauline Kael was Luke warm) and deserves to be seen. I think this sort of autobiographical film had sort of been overdone, so Mazurky's film was lumped in as "one of those." What was missed, I think, was his unsentimental, adult perspective on the time and place, on what it meant to be young and bright. He gives us something of what the beak nick world might have been like, unlike the silly portrayals done AT THE TIME.Lenny Baker, in his only major lead, is excellent along with the entire cast. Christopher Walken makes an impression without the hamming that would later endear him to so many.

Havan_IronOak This is not a great film but it is sweet and has it's moments. It also has a cast of soon to be stars. While it was interesting to see Shelley Winters when she could still pull off dark hair, it was even more interesting to see a young Christopher Walken and a young Jeff Goldblum. Also seen are Vincent Schiavelli of character actor fame and an almost microsecond uncredited cameo by Bill Murray.The movie isn't great but for a movie fan its worth the time if for no other reason to see if you can spot all of the soon to be's.