Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, August 21, 2003
Mike Nichols was on a roll after "The Graduate" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" "Carnal Knowledge" is his most intimate film, and one of the most daring of the 1970s. Its frankness in dealing with young men's sexual psychology has not lost its edge after thirty years. On top of it all, it gives us Nicholson's first truly great performance. The early scenes between him and Garfunkel are fresh and sincere. Spanning some three decades of their friendship, we see how their attitudes towards sex, and women in general, shape their lives. Both actors do a fine job of communicating the gravity of those years, and the most devastating scene is the one where Jack delivers a long and furious tirade at Ann-Margret. "I don't want a job, I want you," she says, to which he replies, "I'm taken...by me!" Brutally honest, yes, but because we've seen what comes before, it's perfectly logical. These men are still affected by the innocence of their younger years, but that innocence is violently clashing with their adult understanding (or lack thereof)--the understanding that the personality is in perpetual motion, and that it becomes difficult to keep up. The movie is often bleak in its settings and its subject matter, but the characters are very real--they challenge you to challenge them. Their dysfunctions may enlighten you, and there is nothing bleak about being enlightened. Oh, and Ann-Margret achieves bombshell status with this movie, playing a woman who at first seems to be the answer to all of Nicholson's fantasies. "Bye Bye Birdie" it ain't.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Would You Rather Love A Woman Or Have A Woman Love You?", July 27, 2005
One of the most controversial movies ever made, this early 1970s' masterpiece cemented the reputations of Jack Nicholson and Mike Nichols, proved that Art Garfunkel can act, gave Candice Bergen her big break, and turned Ann-Margret into a serious actress. Initially, "Carnal Knowledge" was greeted with mixed reactions, but over time has been considered groundbreaking in its frank portrayal of sexual relationships between two womanizing friends over a nearly 30 year period.
The film starts off in college, where two friends name Jonathan (Nicholson) and Sandy (Garfunkel) are roommates who dote on sex and nothing else. When Sandy meets Susan (Bergen) at mixer, he is immediately smitten with her, as is Jonathan, who takes her under his own wing. A few years go by as we see Sandy become involved with Jennifer (Carol Kane). Finally, Jonathan falls in love with the beautiful, and, yes, busty Bobbie (Ann-Margret, who deservedly got an Oscar nomination for her role). Their relationship becomes rougher as years go by, culminating in one of Nicholson's greatest fits of rage ever, matched by Ann's emotional breakdown as she begs him to marry her. The film seems to be very crowded, but the plot unfolds so smoothly, you never get a sense of "gosh, I wanna shut this off because I don't understand it", since every storyline in it grabs you and never lets go.
The performances in this film are perfect. Nicholson gives one of his best performances ever as Jonathan, while Ann-Margret gives what may well be her single greatest performance of her career. It was great to see these two perform together, as Nicholson is my favorite actor and Ann my favorite actress. The two play off each other so well that they make the film watchable for their chemistry alone. Garfunkel was a perfect choice to play Sandy. Everyone may know him as one half of Simon & Garfunkel, but watching him play the part, he embodies it so well you can't imagine anyone playing the role. Though she leaves the movie pretty early, Candice Bergen did a superb portrayal of Susan, and Carol Kane was great as Jennifer. Rita Moreno does not appear until the last scene, but she really does the make the most of her screen time.
"Carnal Knowledge" is a cinematic masterpiece that belongs in any dvd collectio. Do not hesitate in purchasing this movie. It is a must have.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly Funny but Sad Look at 70's Sex, July 31, 2006
The comedy isn't broad enough to make repeat viewings of CARNAL KNOWLEDGE very much fun, the characters are too riddled with the flaws and twisted desires of genuine people to make them great personalities, and the dysfunction of the relationships hardly gets any "rooting interest" going for anyone--but this movie still feels funny and real over thirty-some years later.
The performances are great, the writing extremely sharp. Jack Nicholson's selfish hedonistic heel is hilarious and his pointy eyebrows and mischevious grins perfectly embody his character. From his bellowing tirades to his bitter but funny "slideshow," he's great fun to watch.
Art Garfunkel plays a great sad sack romantic and Candace Bergen brings a genuine depth to the girl torn between them.
If anyone stands out, it has to be Ann Margaret, baring body and soul in her role as Nicholson's sex kitten.
I've always believed that the 1970's was the last great period of movies. CARNAL KNOWLEDGE is one of the reasons why.
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