Film Forum

U.S., 1971
Directed by Mike Nichols
Starring Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkel, Candice Bergen, Ann-Margret, Rita Moreno
Screenplay by Jules Feiffer
New 4K DCP Restoration. Approx. 97 min.

“Nichols’ boldest early film, tracing 30 years in the sexual lives of two perpetually immature men played by Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel. The excoriating chatter in Jules Feiffer’s screenplay would be familiar to anyone who’s attended a college-dorm tell-all... It was a jolt for mainstream movies.” — Richard Corliss.

“Shocked audiences in 1971. It might shock them even more in 2022. Before toxic masculinity was even a term, Nichols and Feiffer explored the subject with such savagery and precision that, even half a century later, the film retains its power to unnerve almost everyone who sees it.”— Mark Harris, author of Mike Nichols: A Life.

Restored in 4K from the original negative by Studiocanal, Technicolor Hollywood and VDM.

A RIALTO PICTURES RELEASE

Reviews

“Clearly Nichols’ best film.”
– Roger Ebert

“One of the more original and merciless American comedies of recent years.”
– Vincent Canby

"In my opinion, Carnal Knowledge is Mike’s masterpiece. I think it’s one of the great American movies. People say Carnal Knowledge is a very bitter film, but it’s actually intensely pleasurable as well."  
– David Hare