THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING is a sensual and sensitive adaptation of Milan Kundera's tragicomic existentialist novel that follows the story of Thomas (Daniel Day Lewis), a womanising Czech doctor in 1968 Prague, prior to the Soviet invasion, whose sexual appetite is never fully satisfied. Thomas believes in keeping sexual .. Read more
| Starring | Daniel Day-Lewis, Lena Olin, Juliette Binoche, Derek de Lint |
|---|---|
| Director | Philip Kaufman |
| Genres | Drama |
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THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING is a sensual and sensitive adaptation of Milan Kundera's tragicomic existentialist novel that follows the story of Thomas (Daniel Day Lewis), a womanising Czech doctor in 1968 Prague, prior to the Soviet invasion, whose sexual appetite is never fully satisfied. Thomas believes in keeping sexual gratification separate from love and finds true understanding and erotic bliss with Sabina (Lena Olin), a seductive and elusive artist. However, Thomas's understanding of love and commitment is challenged when he meets Tereza (Juliette Binoche), a sexually naive and innocent young woman who captures Thomas's fancy on an out-of-town business trip. When Tereza appears on his Prague doorstep, Thomas lets down his guard and allows the young woman to stay with him, breaking all his rules regarding the dangers of seductive entanglement. Despite his numerous affairs, Thomas falls deeply in love with Tereza, and they eventually marry. Sabina accepts Thomas's marriage to Tereza, but Tereza cannot accept Thomas's many lovers and is deeply hurt by her sly husband. Tereza's own sexual awakening and creative spirit is at the core of the film, as she is undeniably captivating to both Thomas and Sabina, who becomes her friend and artistic mentor. The three become involved in an intense love triangle that is eventually shattered by the violent Soviet invasion of 1968. Tereza's burgeoning photographic passion is documented in a creative black-and-white montage of the invasion, beautifully crafted by cinematographer Sven Nykvist. This captivating and brilliant literary adaptation is a subtle and complex character study in which Daniel Day Lewis, Lena Olin, and Juliette Binoche give magnificent lead performances.
| Starring | Daniel Day-Lewis, Lena Olin, Juliette Binoche, Derek de Lint, Erland Josephson, Donald Moffat |
|---|---|
| Director | Philip Kaufman |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 45 mins |
| Certificate |  |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | Production year: 1987 To Rent: DVD: 30 Jun 2003 |
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Thought provoking
The film is based on the novel by the Czech novelist Milan Kundera, whose works all seem to consider eroticism with a certain wistfulness, as if to say that ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
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More heavy than light
This is a film of a philosophical novel, partly based on the premise that we live once, we suffer and we die. There is a lot more than this going on, of course... read more »
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Buy the Book!
If any one else has read this novel by Milan Kundrea and then seen the film then they will understand that it just doesn't live up to the story.
... read more »
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Still wonderful even now....
Now seen this film about 5 times including twice at the cinema. Not as good as the book which is wonderful, but fledgling performances from Mr Lewis and Ms ... read more »
Daniel Day-Lewis may have got a lucky break, landing a bit-part in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi back in 1982. Since then, however, he has really proved his worth, taking on audacious projects and always delivering. He's picked up two Oscars along the way, but we pay our own tribute with a top 10 about the actor who refuses to compromise. His Top 10 Films Gandhi (1982) In 1982 a barely recognisable Daniel Day-Lewis landed a small part in Richard Attenborough’s Ghandi. Rumour has it that... Read more
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