Carnal Knowledge
A Ground - Breaking Film!
One of the most controversial movies of its time, this "thought-provoking" (Leonard Maltin ) comedy-drama from legendary director Mike Nichols (The Birdcage) is a funny, poignant look at relationships as seen through the eyes of two friends over a 20-year period. Superbly crafted by playwright Jules Feiffer, Carnal Knowledge is brimming with touching insights, sexy banter and powerful performances by three-time Oscar winner Jack Nicholson, Ann-Margaret, Candice Bergen and pop music icon Arthur Garfunkel.
Jonathan (Nicholson) and Sandy (Garfunkel) are college roommates who share an endless fascination - and obsession - with women. As time goes by, their relentless pursuit for the joys of the flesh becomes more competitive. And more damaging. Soon, Jonathan and Sandy's lives become a vicious circle of girls, booze and unfulfillment, and they realize only too late that - in the war of the sexes they are their own worst enemy.
Member Reviews
Yummy dialogue. - Konigsberg
The fact that this film was deemed controversial when it was first released is just awesome. It shows how amazingly far we've come in what we deem over-the-top now. Sad maybe.
It's not surprising at all that this film was originally intended to be a play. There are so many fantastic lines and dialogues, but what's so great about this film and Mike Nichols as a filmmaker in general is that he really knows how to make dialogue cinematic. There are three separate shots/sequences where we sit on one character while the scene takes place around them, out of the frame and we just watch how they react/interact. It's fantastic and says so much about what's going on at that current point of their relationship with these people.
Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel are really great here as two friends that age together. The aging is actually quite impressive and they look like they've aged twenty+ years by the end of it all.
Candice Bergan s wonderful in a really calculated awkwardness. The stand-outs in this film are Nicholson and Ann-Margaret though. Anytime they are on screen together you're peeled, and not just because Ms. Ann shows her goods several times, but their relationship, it's tragic dynamic is just impossible to look away from.
I can see this film being a hard one to digest for some, but it's so layered in ideas and thoughts and sexual politics. I'm glad I revisited it.A pessimistic, but realistic, tale! - Poet
I was not quite sure what to expect last night when I put this movie in my DVD player. What I got was a pessimistic, yet realistic, look at relationships between men and women.
Being a huge Nicholson fan, I truly enjoyed seeing a young Jack at work here when he was just starting to blossom as an actor. In this movie, he dares to play a character that is not very likable, and more power to him. His character is rich, interesting, well developed and well played out.
I was also quite surprised by Art Garfunkel as an actor. I must say that he was really convincing.
Candice Bergen and Ann-Margret are two beauties that don't fade with time. In this movie, they both carry their roles with great talent. Jack has some memorable scenes with both of them, but mostly with Ann-Margret as the movie spends more time on their relationship.
Highly recommended, but not as a date movie. It could then raise some issues you don't really want to discuss with your mate.A pessimistic look at long term relationships. - cathyottawa
In fact, I'd say this is a pessimistic look at relationships in general. This is definitely not a date movie.
The descriptor is misleading. This is no comedy. And the guys never come to discover that "in the war of the sexes they are their own worst enemy". We discover it. They don't.
The film is broken down into three acts. The first has friends Johnathon (Jack Nicholson) and Sandy (Art Garfunkel - who knew this guy could act?!) at college. In the second, we see them in their 20s, and the third is a brief look at their 40s.
Each act is about their relationships - trying to get with girls, getting with girls, bored with their girls. This movie seems to be saying that no long term relationship can ever work. It also seems to be saying that, in the end, sex is all men are interested in. I wonder if the screenwriter was going through a breakup when this was written.
The first act is the most entertaining. Candice Bergen (who was really quite beautiful when she was young) plays a college student whom both boys become interested in.
Ann Margaret appears in the second act as a love interest for Nicholson. They have some great scenes together.
In the third act, Rita Moreno (Oz fans will recognize her as Sister Peter Marie) has a brief but memorable scene as a prostitute that fulfills Nicholson's fantasy.
Despite the cynical view this film takes, there's something intriguing about it. The performances are strong, and Mike Nichols has a definite style here - lots of long, drawn out shots, taking his time with the story.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Yummy dialogue. - Konigsberg
The fact that this film was deemed controversial when it was first released is just awesome. It shows how amazingly far we've come in what we deem over-the-top now. Sad maybe.
It's not surprising at all that this film was originally intended to be a play. ...A pessimistic, but realistic, tale! - Poet
I was not quite sure what to expect last night when I put this movie in my DVD player. What I got was a pessimistic, yet realistic, look at relationships between men and women.
Being a huge Nicholson fan, I truly enjoyed seeing a young Jack at work ...A pessimistic look at long term relationships. - cathyottawa
In fact, I'd say this is a pessimistic look at relationships in general. This is definitely not a date movie.
The descriptor is misleading. This is no comedy. And the guys never come to discover that "in the war of the sexes they are their own ...