Shirley's relatives condemned the film, stating they were not contacted by studio representatives until after development, and that it misrepresented Shirley's relationship with his family. Don's brother, Maurice Shirley, said "My brother never considered Tony to be his 'friend'; he was an employee, his chauffeur (who resented wearing a uniform and cap). This is why context and nuance are so important. The fact that a successful, well-to-do Black artist would employ domestics that did NOT look like him, should not be lost in translation.