Comedy,Drama
United States of America
Next Stop, Greenwich Village is a coming-of-age story that follows Larry Lapinsky (played by Lenny Baker), a 20-year-old aspiring actor who leaves his overbearing Jewish parents (played by Shelley Winters and Mike Kellin) in Brooklyn to pursue his dreams of becoming a star in the burgeoning bohemian scene of Greenwich Village in the early 1950s.
Once Larry arrives in Greenwich Village, he quickly falls in with a group of eccentric artists and performers, including his girlfriend Sarah (played by Ellen Greene) and his over-the-top acting teacher (played by Christopher Walken). Larry also has to navigate the challenges of living on his own for the first time, including dealing with unsavory landlords, trying to make rent, and even scraping together enough money to pay for an illegal abortion for Sarah.
Despite the challenges, Larry ultimately finds success as an actor, getting his first big break in a play produced by the legendary Off-Broadway impresario Joe Papp (played by Antonio Fargas). However, as Larry's star begins to rise, he wonders if he's losing touch with his roots and his family back in Brooklyn. In the end, he must decide whether to embrace his success or return to the simple life he left behind.
Directed by Paul Mazursky and released in 1976, Next Stop, Greenwich Village was praised for its authentic portrayal of 1950s New York City and its complex characters. The film was also a showcase for up-and-coming actors like Baker, Winters, and Walken, who would become stars in their own right.
