Goodbye, Columbus

Philip Roth's novella becomes glossy, smart-ass, "Graduate"-styled coming-of-age comedy-drama about a young man in New York, a librarian just out of the Army and living with his aunt and uncle, who courts a beautiful college girl from the country club set. Director Larry Peerce exaggerates the Jewish characters for a punchline, making the girl an insensitive brat and her frightful family an impolite bunch of boors (their nouveau riche surroundings may be plush, but their manners are low-class). A lightweight, rather obvious, somewhat self-conscious affair, watchable without being a moving experience. Admirers tend to remember select elements from the film--the hand-holding montages and rowboat kisses, the pop soundtrack, Ali MacGraw in the swimming pool--and forget the gross, pushy jokes and 'with-it' modern attributes. ** from ****

"Goodbye, Columbus" is a very enjoyable movie that shows movie making transition from large films that are somewhat formulaic in their approach to telling a story, to a small, quasi-independent film that started tackling issues like the sexual revolution. Possible Spoilers****** It also showed the protagonist (Benjamin)as someone who had been out of the army, hadn't gone to college, and was still trying to find out what he wanted to do. It's also one of the few "romantic comedies" where the boy does not get the girl in the end. All of these elements make this an interesting and humorous film. While the ending is somewhat clumsy, I appreciate the fact that they were willing to show that not everyone ends up happy. Good acting all around, too. 7 out of 10

"Goodbye, Columbus" was one of two Richard Benjamin movies based on Philip Roth novels about Jewish angst (the other was "Portnoy's Complaint"). In "Goodbye, Columbus", Benjamin plays Neil Klugman, a Jewish librarian who strikes up a relationship with Jewish American Princess Brenda Patimkin (Ali MacGraw). When he meets her family, they don't like him because he's not a physician or anything like that. I don't know for sure what you're supposed to notice most when watching this movie, but what really caught my attention was how undesirable Brenda's family was. Aside from how they dismiss Neil, they just shout at their servants. Brenda's family quite literally consists of worthless human beings. Brenda herself isn't much better. But, some people are really like that. Regardless of whether or not this could be a period piece, it's good to know that there is a movie which shows what certain people are like.

I saw Goodbye, Columbus when it was released and found it almost as profound and moving as The Graduate. Why has this movie been so neglected and forgotten? Why is it not shown on network or cable? It's terrific and still timely. Anyone have any ideas?

This film has the two elements that distinguish a successful film: 1) humanity 2) truth. The characters are fully rounded and the kind you become genuinely interested in and even attached to. Richard Benjamin nails his role in a beautifully crafted performance and Ali McGraw sparkles in this early screen appearance. There is a warmth and love for humanity that permeates the entire film, so that even when events take an unfortunate turn, you will still feel the joy of life that the film celebrates. Highly recommended and the dated Sixties dance moves are a delightful bonus!

I really enjoyed this Comedy/Romance movie, it was surprisingly realistic and thoroughly enjoyable. Won't tell you the plot or ending but don't expect the standard formula. What really made me rate this highly (a 9/10) is how well it sticks in my memory and how enjoyable it is to think of afterwards as well as watch.

I recently saw this film again after seeing it when I was twelve (progressive Jewish parents). I didn't remember much about it except that Ali MacGraw took her clothes off, that it reminded me A lot of my family at the time, and that there was a very moving scene in a library with Richard Benjamin and a small African American boy. I was right on all counts -- Ali looks great (her first film), it STILL reminds me of my family and when I showed it to some friends of mine (also Jewish) they all said the same about their families, and the scene in the library is just as I remembered it. I was as moved today, some 36 years later, as I was back then. A wonderful comedy.