Leonard Vs Goodbye Columbus, Neil Klugman

Richard Benjamin's character in Goodbye Columbus is generally much more appealing and sympathetic than Leonard. He seemed like an intelligent, mature, 'together' guy, with a heart of gold, and it's not terribly difficult to see why a woman, upper class or not, Jewish or not, would be attracted to him.

Leonard Cantrow as played by Charles Grodin on the other hand is vastly less likable and relatable to the viewer. He's actually not a bad looking guy at all - he's tall, fit, well-dressed, and has great hair - but the way he speaks and comes across is totally bizarre and offputting. It's like he's a wiseass without being at all intelligent. Indeed, while Jewish characters are usually stereotyped as being smart, even if it's a nebbishy or sleazy kind of smart, Leonard actually comes across as inarticulate and simple-minded. He actually kind of reminded me of Rocky Balboa. He talked as if he had been slugged in the head one too many times. Was Charles Grodin drunk during the filming of 'Heartbreak Kid'? There are numerous times when he sounds/acts like it.

There are also quite a few moments when he seems like a psychopathic lunatic and his 'determination' seems more like insane obsession. And not even the stock-movie-character insane, I mean actual real-life single-minded unhealthy obsessiveness insane, which I guess is a testament to Grodin's acting ability.

The one thing he does have going for him is mad confidence, which is typical of psychopaths. It's not implausible that he could get a woman like Kelly to *beep* him, but her wanting to marry him, especially against the wishes of her father, is very unrealistic.