The Unbearable Lightness of Being

R

Released Feb 5, 1988

2 hr. 51 min.

Drama

List

87%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Successful surgeon Tomas (Daniel Day-Lewis) leaves Prague for an operation, meets a young photographer named Tereza (Juliette Binoche), and brings her back with him. Tereza is surprised to learn that Tomas is already having an affair with the bohemian Sabina (Lena Olin), but when the Soviet invasion occurs, all three flee to Switzerland. Sabina begins an affair, Tom continues womanizing, and Tereza, disgusted, returns to Czechoslovakia. Realizing his mistake, Tomas decides to chase after her.

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Critics Consensus

Exploring sexual mores against the backdrop of real-life social upheaval, The Unbearable Lightness of Being artfully blends the political and the erotic.

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Frederick H. S

I was looking over what Wikipedia had to say about the film, and as I was saying to myself how authentic the cinematography was, I read in Wikipedia that it had won Best Cinematography at the 1989 Oscars. Daniel - Day Lewis is one my favorites actors (I like how he graces the film), and the setting and the storyline are right up my alley. Love, relationships and political intrigue are mixed well. Bravo!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/23

Full Review

caTones S

A movie in my collection. There is both a deep development of the three primary characters developed in this movie. The development is further permeated by the historical backdrop of a fascist Russian Oppression of the Czechoslovakia. Beautiful imagery of Prague and a peaceful ending that could be interpreted in so many ways with the crux of its meaning the embodiment of love. Excellent acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A young Daniel Day Lewis, Juliette Binoche, and Lena Olin in a complicated love story directed by Phillip Kaufman Taking place in Prague 1968 A man named Tomas leaves Prague for an operation, meets a young photographer named Tereza and brings her back with him Tereza is surprised to learn that Tomas is already having an affair with the bohemian Sabina but when the Soviet invasion occurs, all three flee to Switzerland Sabina begins an affair, Tom continues womanizing, and Tereza, disgusted, returns to Czechoslovakia Realizing his mistake, Tomas decides to chase after her This story does stretch itself at 3 hours and there's a ton of sex and nudity Yet it is a profoundly beguiling movie about sex, love, and rebellion One narrative arc in particular with them adopting a dog at a certain point, is central to the novel yet minimized onscreen, resonates with a broader history of feminist theories of animal ethics There's a very saddening scene towards the end that made me well up The movie still gets by on wonderful atmospherics of a besieged culture thanks to Kaufman's direction and the sizzling chemistry of the three leads

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Kliff H

Impressive love triangle, tangled in the horrendous communist regime in Prague. Long, but not boring. Great acting and story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

andrea m

On the backdrop of '68 Prague, a lady killer finds a woman unlike any other. Her candor upsets his morality, or lack of; his passion expands her sexuality. Closing the triangle is an unresting woman exuding lust, closest friend to the unlikely couple and always on the run from resolution. As tumultuous as the characters is the world around them, now more relevant then ever. The Russians invade Czechoslovakia, with tanks marching on Prague, very reminiscent of Ukraine nowadays. History repeats itself over and over after all. The acting is superb. Of course DDL is as flawless as ever, and Binoche is a perfect match to him. Surprisingly, Lena Olin is also not overshadowed, thanks to another highlight of the movie, which is cinematography. The shots, especially the more steamy ones, are never trivial and enhance the physique of the actors, looking like sculptures at times. I found the ending not as dramatic as it was meant to be, maybe because it was dragged on a bit too much. But of course, the director didn't want us to be burdened by the lightness of being.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave s

Set in Czechoslovakia in 1968, Philip Kaufman's The Unbearable Lightness of Being follows the relationship between neurosurgeon Tomas (Daniel Day-Lewis) and photographer Tereza (Juliette Binoche) at the time of the Soviet Union's invasion of the country. Featuring great performances from a trio of excellent young actors early in their respective careers, including Lena Olin, typically great cinematography from Sven Nykvist, and an emotional music score courtesy of Mark Adler, it touches on themes of loyalty, power and idealism, both in the context of relationships and politics. While the running time may scare off some viewers (it almost hits the three-hour mark), it is well worth the time invested.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Philip Kaufman

Director

Daniel Day-Lewis

Tomas

Juliette Binoche

Tereza

Lena Olin

Sabina

Derek de Lint

Franz

Erland Josephson

Ambassador

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

I didn't remember anything of the Milan Kundera novel. But as the movie started I knew just what was coming next and I loved seeing it happen -- it was like a dream that you long to return to, and lo! there it is.

Sep 15, 2023

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Richly satisfying adaptation.

Oct 16, 2008

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

It's possible to read the book in less time.

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

It's an uncommonly mature, literate work, and one that embraces the erotic openly and without apprehension.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 20, 2024

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…one of the great narratives about life, fate, poetry and fatality…

Rated: 5/5

Jul 12, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The film is like a sonata in four seasons. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 8, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Successful surgeon Tomas (Daniel Day-Lewis) leaves Prague for an operation, meets a young photographer named Tereza (Juliette Binoche), and brings her back with him. Tereza is surprised to learn that Tomas is already having an affair with the bohemian Sabina (Lena Olin), but when the Soviet invasion occurs, all three flee to Switzerland. Sabina begins an affair, Tom continues womanizing, and Tereza, disgusted, returns to Czechoslovakia. Realizing his mistake, Tomas decides to chase after her.

Director: Philip Kaufman
Executive Producer: Bertil Ohlsson
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Criterion Collection, Orion Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 5, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 28, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.3M
Sound Mix: Surround

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