The Unbearable Lightness of Being

"A lovers’ story."

Feb 5 1988 R 2h 51m
Drama, Romance

Successful surgeon 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.

Plot

Tomas is a doctor and a lady-killer in 1960s Czechoslovakia, an apolitical man who is struck with love for the bookish country girl Tereza; his more sophisticated sometime lover Sabina eventually accepts their relationship and the two women form an electric friendship. The three are caught up in the events of the Prague Spring (1968), until the Soviet tanks crush the non-violent rebels; their illusions are shattered and their lives change forever.

Written by

Milan Kundera, Jean-Claude Carrière, Philip Kaufman

Directed by

Philip Kaufman

Cast

Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 2 Oscars. 7 wins & 14 nominations total

Trailers
The Unbearable Lightness of Being trailer
Scores
# of Votes
39,553
Average Rating
7.2 out of 10
Metascore
73
Popularity
NA