Do you want to see ‘Goodbye, Columbus’?

Goodbye, Columbus (1969)

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All Critics
Top Critics

100

Average Rating: 7.1/10
Reviews Counted: 9
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 0

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Release Date: Jan 1, 1969 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 1,024

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Movie Info

Based on one of author Phillip Roth's shorter works, Goodbye Columbus stars Richard Benjamin as Neil, a young man of humble means who falls in love with Jewish-American-princess Brenda (Ali MacGraw). Their romance is out of the question so far as Brenda's suburbanite parents are concerned, so Neil and Brenda rendezvous in some of the sleaziest motels ever seen in a 1960s film (and that assessment includes The Bates Motel). Unwilling to take birth control pills because they upset her tummy,

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Comedy, Romance

Directed By: Larry Peerce

Written By: Arnold Schulman

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1969 Wide

On DVD: Jun 8, 2004

Paramount

Cast

Richard Benjamin
Neil
Ali MacGraw
Brenda
Jack Klugman
Mr. Patimkin
Nan Martin
Mrs. Patimkin
Michael Meyers
Ron
Lori Shelle
Julie
Royce Wallace
Carlotta
Sylvie Strauss
Aunt Gladys
Kay Cummings
Doris
Michael Nurie
Don Farber
Monroe Arnold
Uncle Leo
Elaine Swain
Sarah Ehrlich
Richard Wexler
Busboy
Rube Schaffer
Uncle Max
Mari Gorman
Simp
Gail Ommerle
Harriet
Bill Deeringer
John McKee
Betty Grayson
Aunt Molly
Jan Peerce
Wedding Guest
Chris Schenkel
Jaclyn Smith
Model
Ray Baumel
Anthony McGowan
Delos V. Smith
Sylvie Strause

Critic Reviews for Goodbye, Columbus

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (0) | DVD (4)

Perhaps the most successful of the three Philip Roth adaptations on the big screen.

September 10, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Jamie Gillies

Apollo Guide

The Paramount DVD features a nice looking 1.85:1 aspect ratio anamorphic widescreen transfer and mono sound. No other extras are included on the disc.

September 10, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Jamie Gillies

Apollo Guide

Dated adult fare from 1969 with Benjamin and MacGraw.

June 8, 2006 Comment

Steve Crum

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

This well-observed comedy knows the American Jewish bourgeois scene well.

June 28, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A summertime love story tinged with dark humor.

July 1, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Nobody ever talks about the underrated Goodbye, Columbus, but they should.

April 29, 2004 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Pete Croatto

Filmcritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Goodbye, Columbus

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What a waste of film. I can't believe I watched the whole film. This was listed under romantic/Comedy and it is neither. I don't recommend anyone to watch this film. It's just pointless.

April 25, 2009

Marion Ravenwood

Super Reviewer

probably the best adaptation of a Roth novel(la), which isn't an easy thing to accomplish. it is, of course a watered down version of the story missing a lot of the nuances of Roth's superb writing- but is entertaining throughout. The dramatic impact of the end is far less effective on screen though.

December 21, 2008