Movie Notes: Goodbye Columbus

May 23rd, 2009

= 3 stars

Starring Richard Benjamin, Ali McGraw, Jack Klugman
Directed by Larry Peerce

Synopsis

Librarian Neil Klugman (Richard Benjamin) embarks on a summer romance with college student Brenda Patimkin (Ali McGraw) who is staying with her family in the suburbs. Based on a book by Philip Roth.

The Good

• Neil and Brenda are both Jewish, but because of Brenda’s family’s financial success, they have grown away from Neil’s still-humble situation. Their relationship troubles are just a cover for the corrosive influence of the American Dream — its achievement can actually remove awareness of one’s heritage and background. There are some good observations on the mannerisms of the “nouevau riche” — families one generation removed from humble, lower class roots that over-compensate by going too far in the other direction.
• Small touches of a spoiled family ring true: the awkward brother, the fact that Neil stays at the house for days without much comment from the parents. Eventually, Neil wonders if her family’s influence has cost Brenda her individualism and ability to think for herself.
• Some snazz-tastic, retro 60s interest.

The Bad

• Personally, not as much bite as other odd couple romances (Woody Allen), and could have more aggressively pointed out the differences between the two families. Both may have been lost in the translation from book to screen.

Conclusion

While class struggle proves an interesting subject to base a movie on, while Goodbye Columbus, I felt I had seen it somewhere before. It’s worth a rental, but only after you’ve seen The Graduate and Annie Hall, of course.

IMDB: Goodbye, Columbus
Wikipedia: Goodbye, Columbus