Goodbye, Columbus is a 1969 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Larry Peerce and based on a novella by Philip Roth. The film stars Ali MacGraw as Brenda Patimkin, a young woman from a wealthy Jewish family, and Richard Benjamin as Neil Klugman, a lower-middle-class Jewish man working at the library in a college.
Brenda and Neil meet at a country club pool, where Brenda is lounging with her friends and Neil, who works there during the summer, is doing odd jobs. Despite coming from very different social backgrounds, they are attracted to each other. They begin a romantic relationship, but their different worlds start to create tension between them.
Brenda's family is very involved in Jewish culture and traditions, and they expect her to marry a Jewish man who is financially established and can provide for her in the same way they can. Her mother is particularly controlling and disapproving of Neil, who comes from a less privileged family and does not share their values.
Meanwhile, Neil feels alienated by Brenda's affluent lifestyle and the way her family treats him. He is also struggling to find his footing in the world and figure out his place in society. He tries to fit into Brenda's family's world, but ultimately feels constrained and uncomfortable.
As their relationship progresses, Brenda becomes more and more conflicted about her feelings for Neil and the pressure from her family to conform to their expectations. Neil, on the other hand, becomes increasingly distant and unsure about whether he can continue to be with Brenda given their differences.
Goodbye, Columbus is a thought-provoking and humorous exploration of the tension between tradition and individuality in Jewish American culture, as well as the challenges of navigating relationships across socioeconomic divides. The film was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and was a significant breakthrough for both director Larry Peerce and star Ali MacGraw.