Carnal Knowledge

Even Hollywood is capable of producing serious films (at least from November to January). Unfortunately, Hollywood also sometimes puts out Serious Films: movies that try so hard to address big issues that they end up having a rather small impact.

"Carnal Knowledge" is an especially disappointing example of the latter because its director, Mike Nicholls ("The Graduate"), is capable of exploring heavy themes with a much lighter, more thought-provoking touch.

Moreover, the first third of the film shows some promise. Jonathan (Jack Nicholson) and Sandy (Art Garfunkel) are best friends and college roommates both dating the same woman, Susan (Candice Bergen). Jonathan is bracingly honest: he only wants one thing. Sandy is much more apologetic about his desires. Susan dates Sandy out of pity and Jonathan out of lust. The premise is a little flimsy, but movies have been made with less. More importantly, there are nice comic moments in the opening scenes that are also very revealing. Sandy's awkward introduction to Susan could have come straight out of an episode of "The Office". Jonathan bellows "Read my thoughts, dammit!" as he bemoans his lack of emotional intimacy with Susan.

Next the film flashes forward ten years. We know we're in trouble right away: Jonathan and Sandy both deliver morose monologues directly into the camera. Technically they're each addressing the other off-screen. But it's a clumsy way to imitate the intimate close-ups of Ingmar Bergman. (Tellingly, Bergman only did these shots with women, whose faces he claimed were more expressive. His theory bears out here.)

From there, Nicholls shuffles us through a couple of totally unnecessary plotlines. Jonathan dates a two-bit actress whom he chiefly values for her knockers. Would you believe it doesn't work out? Meanwhile, Sandy marries Susan, grows bored, and cheats on her. Over the course of an hour, we get a lot of heavy-handed monologues that explore practically every major sexual hangup: jealously, inadequacy, boredom, commitment issues.

The only bright spot here is Nicholson. The actor recently said that he was never able to convince a woman to marry him. Roles like this probably didn't help. The character of Jonathan allows him to do everything in his wheelhouse: Suave Jack, Smarmy Jack and Angry Jack. Nicholson's ability to fly off into a rage while remaining in complete control was unparalleled. Nicholls, on the other hand, lacked the visual imagination and deft touch to carry heavy material. One was capable of being serious; the other could only be Serious.