The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) movie poster

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)

"A lovers’ story."
ThumbScore
👍 70%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 80% (RT: 86%, MC: 73) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
DramaRomance

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Director
Runtime
2h 51m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
6.9/10 (507 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Metacritic
73
Cast
Lena Olin as Sabina
Derek de Lint as Franz
Stellan Skarsgård as The Engineer
Erland Josephson as The Ambassador
Donald Moffat as Chief Surgeon
Most people think so. 70% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 507 votes. Critics agree, scoring it 80%.
Overview
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. Wikipedia ↗
Fun Facts
  • During production of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, the crew faced numerous challenges but managed to complete the shoot ahead of schedule.
  • It remains one of the highest-rated drama films of 1988 among dedicated fans.
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
Audience Consensus

The Unbearable Lightness of Being is a 1988 drama, romance film directed by Philip Kaufman. 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. The film has been rated by 507 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers.

As a drama film, The Unbearable Lightness of Being delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape.

The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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