Basically, a bunch of failed romances or marriages by a perennial over-sexed adolescent, played by Jack Nicholson and a romantic-minded, but shy and less than exciting, lover, played by Art Garfunkel, who maintain an unlikely close friendship beginning in college, into middle-age, which is as far as the film takes their relationship. I suspect the shock value of the sex and nudity scenes strongly contributed to its initial popularity.
After going through a number of flirtations, and one marriage each, at middle age, Jack has hired a prostitute(played by a less than exciting Rita Moreno) whom he evidently hopes will rejuvenate his flagging libido. Meanwhile, Art is dating an 18 year old, presumably for the same reason. Rita just delivers a hopeful monologue to Jack to end the film. We are left with no indication of how Art's last relationship works out.
The prior sexual fling between Jack and Art's girl, Susan, played by Candice Bergan, makes no logical sense. Jack initially rejected her, saying "Her tits are too small" and he says big tits are the most important criterion for his ideal lover. The physicality of a women is mostly what attracts him. But, Susan is a shy intellectual, pre-law student: ideal for Art, not Jack. Nonetheless, Jack succeeds in debasing her conservative nature, making love with her. They then soon breakup, and Art eventually marries her. But, after a few years, this marriage ends, apparently because, although caring, Art lacks sufficient passion as a lover. He then has an unsatisfactory dalliance with a Cindy(Cynthia O'Neal), in which Jack again tries to butt in, before Art turns to the 18yo.
However, the 'meat' of the film concerns Jack's romance with Bobbie(Ann-Margret), whose tits are big enough to turn him on. At first, they get along well, and we get a couple of frontal or side views of her breasts, and a couple of side views of her stark naked. But, then Jack asks her to quit her job. Then, she feels bored and unfulfilled without a child. But, Jack nixes marriage(no problem in today's world). Eventually, Bobbie goes crazy with boredom, mostly sleeping, and neglecting housework. Eventually, they have a big blow up, and say it's time to break up. Bobbie then tries to poison herself. We don't see anymore of Bobbie. However, during Jack's slide show of his history of girlfriends, or sexual conquests, he mentions that he and Bobbie got married, had a child, but eventually divorced. Evidently, Bobbie's nearly fatal suicide attempt worked to galvanize Jack to marry her and have a kid.
Thank god my romantic relationships with women has played nothing like those of these 2 losers. So far, I've stuck with one woman for 34 years, and don't regret it.
After going through a number of flirtations, and one marriage each, at middle age, Jack has hired a prostitute(played by a less than exciting Rita Moreno) whom he evidently hopes will rejuvenate his flagging libido. Meanwhile, Art is dating an 18 year old, presumably for the same reason. Rita just delivers a hopeful monologue to Jack to end the film. We are left with no indication of how Art's last relationship works out.
The prior sexual fling between Jack and Art's girl, Susan, played by Candice Bergan, makes no logical sense. Jack initially rejected her, saying "Her tits are too small" and he says big tits are the most important criterion for his ideal lover. The physicality of a women is mostly what attracts him. But, Susan is a shy intellectual, pre-law student: ideal for Art, not Jack. Nonetheless, Jack succeeds in debasing her conservative nature, making love with her. They then soon breakup, and Art eventually marries her. But, after a few years, this marriage ends, apparently because, although caring, Art lacks sufficient passion as a lover. He then has an unsatisfactory dalliance with a Cindy(Cynthia O'Neal), in which Jack again tries to butt in, before Art turns to the 18yo.
However, the 'meat' of the film concerns Jack's romance with Bobbie(Ann-Margret), whose tits are big enough to turn him on. At first, they get along well, and we get a couple of frontal or side views of her breasts, and a couple of side views of her stark naked. But, then Jack asks her to quit her job. Then, she feels bored and unfulfilled without a child. But, Jack nixes marriage(no problem in today's world). Eventually, Bobbie goes crazy with boredom, mostly sleeping, and neglecting housework. Eventually, they have a big blow up, and say it's time to break up. Bobbie then tries to poison herself. We don't see anymore of Bobbie. However, during Jack's slide show of his history of girlfriends, or sexual conquests, he mentions that he and Bobbie got married, had a child, but eventually divorced. Evidently, Bobbie's nearly fatal suicide attempt worked to galvanize Jack to marry her and have a kid.
Thank god my romantic relationships with women has played nothing like those of these 2 losers. So far, I've stuck with one woman for 34 years, and don't regret it.