Carnal Knowledge

Carnal Knowledge

Year: 1971

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

Director: Mike Nichols

Drama

Sandy and Jonathan, charming roommates in 1940s America, find their lives entangled in a web of love, loyalty, and desire. As they pursue various relationships, Sandy’s naivete is challenged by unexpected betrayals. Meanwhile, Jonathan's seemingly carefree and hedonistic lifestyle hides a deeper yearning for genuine connection. The film explores themes of masculinity, moral boundaries, and the complicated nature of intimacy and infidelity within the backdrop of a changing era.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Carnal Knowledge (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Carnal Knowledge (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1940s

The late 1940s was a transformative period marked by the aftermath of World War II, with shifts in social norms and intimate relationships becoming more complex. This era saw young people grappling with freedom, love, and the challenges that arose from navigating personal connections against a changing societal landscape.

Location

Amherst College

Amherst College is a prestigious liberal arts college located in Massachusetts, known for its rigorous academics and beautiful campus. The post-war era of the late 1940s serves as a backdrop to this story, highlighting the evolving relationships among students amid personal and societal changes.

🏫 College 🇺🇸 USA

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:33

Main Characters – Carnal Knowledge (1971)

Meet the key characters of Carnal Knowledge (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sandy

Sandy is a thoughtful and introspective character who grapples with the complexities of love and expectation. Initially devoted to Susan, he experiences a profound transformation as his marriage falters and he reflects on the nature of intimacy and obligation.

🧠 Thoughtful ❤️ Devoted

Susan

Susan embodies the struggle between emotional connection and physical desire. Her initial reluctance to engage in a purely physical relationship highlights her longing for deeper intimacy, ultimately leading to challenges in her marriage with Sandy.

🌸 Emotional 🌹 Complex

Jonathan

Jonathan is charming yet self-indulgent, a quintessential womanizer whose shallow pursuits often lead to emotional turbulence for those around him. His manipulative nature and inability to form genuine connections serve as a cautionary tale of the darker side of charisma.

😎 Charming 🔥 Manipulative

Bobbie

Bobbie is a captivating yet superficial figure, trapped in a toxic relationship with Jonathan. Her emotional struggles and eventual breakdown illuminate the pitfalls of seeking validation through romantic connections.

😞 Vulnerable 🌟 Beautiful

Cindy

Cindy represents the complexity of new relationships in a tangled web of past connections. She navigates her new bond with Sandy amidst the backdrop of his previous commitments, speaking to the theme of finding love in difficult circumstances.

✨ New Beginnings 💔 Complicated

Jennifer

Jennifer is the young girlfriend of Sandy, representing a new generation caught in the fallout of prior relationships. Her emotional response to Jonathan's slideshow reveals the lasting impact of past romances on the present.

👩‍🎓 Young 💔 Impacted

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:33

Major Themes – Carnal Knowledge (1971)

Explore the central themes of Carnal Knowledge (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love & Relationships

The movie delves into the intricacies of love and relationships, exploring themes of desire, commitment, and betrayal. The characters navigate emotional highs and lows, revealing how relationships can evolve and often complicate lives in unexpected ways.

🔄 Partner Swapping

The idea of swapping partners serves as a provocative exploration of desire and the search for fulfillment. This theme examines the complexities of attraction and emotional entanglements, questioning whether such acts can lead to genuine connections or just further complications.

😞 Depression

Bobbie's struggle with depression underscores the impact of toxic relationships and emotional turmoil. Her attempt to find solace reflects the darker sides of love and the consequences of unmet expectations and emotional neglect.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:33

Unlock the Full Story of Carnal Knowledge

Don't stop at just watching — explore Carnal Knowledge in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Carnal Knowledge is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Carnal Knowledge Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Carnal Knowledge, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Carnal Knowledge Summary

Carnal Knowledge Timeline

Track the full timeline of Carnal Knowledge with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Carnal Knowledge Timeline

More About Carnal Knowledge

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Carnal Knowledge: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Carnal Knowledge

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