Goodbye, Columbus

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Goodbye, Columbus

PG

1969

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

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14 Reviews

51%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Neil Klugman (Richard Benjamin), a young librarian in New Jersey, has eyes for Brenda Patimkin (Ali MacGraw), a beautiful Radcliffe student. Although they are both Jewish, Brenda's family is much wealthier and more conservative than Neil's. As their relationship matures, their differing cultural backgrounds cause Brenda's mother (Nan Martin) to have trepidations about the couple. As their disparate ideas about sex and birth control come to the fore, their feelings for each other are tested.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

May 8, 2026

B

It's not going to leave much of an impression with its attempt to communicate deep feelings, but there's personality and reflection to follow.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 22, 2026

3.5/4

An impressive adaptation of Philip Roth's novella.

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Harvey G. Cox

Tempo (National Council of Churches)

Jan 7, 2021

Despite its flaws, some of them major ones, Goodbye, Columbus is a successful flick. The photography [is strong], especially during the expressionistic sequences centered on the young lovers themselves.

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Jacob Brackman

Esquire Magazine

Aug 13, 2020

Does it seem picayune to require that moves make sense on their own terms?

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Paul Schrader

Los Angeles Free Press

Jan 24, 2020

It is rich and wonderful; and although flawed and far from being the best film of the year, I think it will deeply touch more people than any other film this year.

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Jamie Gillies

Apollo Guide

Sep 10, 2007

80/100

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

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jimmy b

@VictorTalkingMachine Feb 19, 2026

Ali MacGraw shows literally what I real movie star should act and look like. In some ways, she's even better than her soon-later Oscar-nominated role in "Love Story." She was awarded a Golden Globe for this comedic performance and later won a Golden Globe for Best Actress Drama for "Love Story."

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David F

@dfulmer Dec 24, 2025

This film is an admirable attempt to capture the burgeoning sexual liberation at the heart of the novella. It is a bit trendy but nicely gets at the class issues among New Jersey Jewish communities in the 1960s.

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Alain E

@AlainE Nov 16, 2025

Most young people today probably have no idea what a diaphragm is. Even then, it is hard to comprehend that when your mother discovers that you are having sex, this is the end of your relationship. This movie works as a relic of ideas and attitudes that are now extinct in our society.

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Mar 25, 2022

The dancing was cringe but enjoyed it once again. Hadn't watched it since I was a teenager. Would they really have been such voracious eaters at the wedding? Quite shocking really.

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Apr 23, 2021

The only reason I watched the movie was to see Ali McGraw's wardrobe, since it was apparent after the first 15 minutes I wasn't going to be interested in the film. I hope the book was more satisfying than this movie. The end of the film makes absolutely no sense, and I can't imagine it made sense in 1969, either. So be prepared to feel like you wasted your time. I also found the depiction of Jewish people and the way they eat - as if they've never seen food before - patently offensive.

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Apr 21, 2021

If you have something else to do, you'll probably wish, like me, that you had done it.

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Larry Peerce

Director

Richard Benjamin

Neil Klugman

Ali MacGraw

Brenda Patimkin

Jack Klugman

Ben Patimkin

Nan Martin

Mrs. Ben Patimkin

Michael Meyers

Ron Patimkin

Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - Brenda's Diaphragm

2:13

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - Body or Mind?

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - I Was Pretty, Now I'm Prettier

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - Brenda's Awkward Brother

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - I'll Be Sweaty

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - The Closet Call

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - You're Next!

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - Meet the Parents

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - All It Takes is Once

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Goodbye, Columbus: Official Clip - Do You Love Me?

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Synopsis

Neil Klugman (Richard Benjamin), a young librarian in New Jersey, has eyes for Brenda Patimkin (Ali MacGraw), a beautiful Radcliffe student. Although they are both Jewish, Brenda's family is much wealthier and more conservative than Neil's. As their relationship matures, their differing cultural backgrounds cause Brenda's mother (Nan Martin) to have trepidations about the couple. As their disparate ideas about sex and birth control come to the fore, their feelings for each other are tested.

Director: Larry Peerce
Producer: Stanley R. Jaffe
Screenwriter: Arnold Schulman
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Willow Tree
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1969, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Runtime: 1h 45m

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