This unorthodox and bittersweet comedy received an Oscar nomination for “Best Screenplay Based On Another Medium.” Philip Roth’s (Portnoy’s Complaint) best-selling social satire brings together Richard Benjamin (Diary of a Mad Housewife) and Ali MacGraw (Love Story), even though they’re not exactly suited for each other. Neil is a poor Bronx librarian and Brenda is a pampered Jewish American princess from Westchester. Benjamin and MacGraw are superb in their debuts as the lovers who try to cross class lines amidst kisses and her parents’ stiff opposition.
One of the most appealing, poignant comedies ever produced. Transplanting Roth’s first novella from late 1950s suburban New Jersey to late ’60s Westchester County, New York, director Larry Peerce (The Other Side of the Mountain) and screenwriter Arnold Schulman (Love with the Proper Stranger) retain the bite and humor of Roth’s observations of the Jewish American middle class, and the resulting film was a critical and financial success. In addition to the screenplay, the performances of Benjamin, MacGraw and Jack Klugman (TV’s The Odd Couple and Quincy, M.E.), as well as the title song by the Association, were nominated for numerous film awards. This lush, Technicolor cinematography is credited to Gerald Hirschfeld (Last Summer and T.R. Baskin). For this first-ever Blu-ray of Goodbye, Columbus, the film has been remastered from a new 4K scan of the film’s original 35mm camera negative.
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Video Quality
Goodbye, Columbus debuts on Blu-Ray courtesy of Fun City Editions with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio that is derived from a 4K restoration of the 35mm Original Camera Negative. The presentation retains the natural textured film aesthetic of the era with image stability and clarity rendering admirably. Everything appears to be authentic to its intended appearance, yet refined to avoid any undesired clumpy grain frozen in the background. Most instances of print damage, such as nicks and scratches, have been eradicated, but a few stray lines and specks remain. Fun City Editions continues to show off with each new stunning restoration.
Colors are pleasantly saturated with deep, natural hues coming through with the utmost accuracy. With the film taking place over the summer, the scenery is often bright and vibrant with the lush greenery standing out in particular. Black levels hold up well with no major moments of crush or banding observed. The suburban setting is preserved well on screen with great complexity in the clothing and production design. Skin tones are natural and consistent with distinct features such as facial hair and wrinkles easily distinguishable in close-up. Fun City Editions has treated this one to a marvelous presentation that should please most audiences.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that translates the soundscape of this narrative well. From the opening moments at the pool, the film presents the soundscape effectively with resolute fidelity. We did not hear any shortcomings or signs of age-related wear, such as hissing, crackling, or distortion. Dialogue is the primary element of this narrative, and every hurried delivery from Neil comes through clearly, even when up against competing environmental elements. This track accomplishes everything it sets out to do for a sonically consistent experience. Fun City Editions continues to come through for fans of character-driven stories. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Podcaster Bill Ackerman provides an informative commentary track in which he discusses the legacy of the feature, how it compares to the source material, the careers of the talent involved, the themes of the feature, playful visual elements, and much more that is worthwhile.
- Gone to Heaven – Interview with Composer Charles Fox: A new 15-minute interview with the composer in which he discusses his background, some of his early work, landing Goodbye Columbus, working with director Larry Peerce, and more.
- An Evening at the Academy – 2016 On-Stage Conversation: A 33-minute panel from Los Angeles in 2016 honoring director Larry Peerce, featuring composer Charles Fox, actors Ali MacGraw and Richard Benjamin, screenwriter Arnold Schulman, casting director Andrea Eastman, and producer Stanley Jaffe, moderated by former Paramount executive Peter Bart.
- Image Gallery (5:16)
- Booklet: There is a bound booklet included featuring the essay “How Philip Roth’s Goodbye, Columbus Became ‘A Very Big Movie’” by film programmer Jim Healy that explores the source material, the themes, the reception of the film, and much more that is enlightening.
Final Thoughts
Goodbye, Columbus is an engaging dramedy that captures the excitement of young romance with the crushing reality of societal barriers. Richard Benjamin is a believable blend of youthful obnoxiousness with a fair amount of earnest hope. Ali MacGraw is luminous in her first major role; you understand why anyone would fall for her, even when witnessing her occasional carelessness. It’s a small, personal story, yet it is one that packs a punch. This is not talked about as much as other films from the era, but hopefully this release will change that. Fun City Editions has delivered a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and some nice special features. Recommended
Goodbye, Columbus is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Fun City Editions has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
