“We’re modern.”
synopsis
After attending an encounter-group retreat that encourages radical honesty and emotional openness, Bob and Carol return to Los Angeles determined to transform their marriage. Their newfound candor disrupts their more conventional friends Ted and Alice, especially when conversations about fidelity and sexual freedom move from theory to possibility.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
Mazursky captures late-1960s social experimentation with a tone that is playful but quietly incisive. The film balances satire and sincerity, exposing both the appeal and absurdity of fashionable liberation. Conversations drive the drama — not explosive betrayal, but awkward negotiation of evolving norms. What makes the film endure is its recognition that even in supposedly “modern” relationships, insecurity and jealousy remain stubbornly human. It’s social entanglement in its purest form: adult friendships destabilized by shifting values.
A reflective mood about evolving social norms
Viewers who enjoy talk-driven ensemble pieces
A double feature with other late-60s social satires
Post-film debate about honesty versus comfort
Absurdist's Corner
Four adults try to intellectualize jealousy into submission — as if it’s a scheduling conflict.
fun facts
The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay.
It became emblematic of the cultural shift toward sexual openness in late-1960s America.
Paul Mazursky often explored contemporary social anxieties in his films.
The ambiguous ending sparked audience debate upon release.