To me, one of the most interesting parts of this film

is that Tonylip was a real person, who was maitre d' at the Copacabana and later played Carmine Lupertazzi Sr. on "The Sopranos." He was also in a number of other mob movies, though in small roles.

I thought Vigo Mortenson played his role masterfully, as did Mahershala Ali as Don Shirley.

And it really wasn't a "white savior" movie. Shirley taught Lip as much as the other way around.