The Unbearable Lightness of Being
1988 · Movie · R · 171 min · ★ 6.9
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.
Based on The Unbearable Lightness of Being
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Details
- Years
- 1988
- Release date
- 1988-02-05
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 171 min
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (517 votes)
Themes
- infidelity
- waitress
- based on novel or book
- free love
- photographer
- loyalty
- lover
- soviet union
- soviet military
- surgeon
- prague, czech republic
- partnership
- +3 more
Awards & recognition
- BAFTA Award — Best Adapted Screenplay · 1989
- Independent Spirit Award — Best Cinematography · 1989
- Boston Society of Film Critics Award — Best Actor · 1988
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Film · 1988
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Director · 1988
Show all 19 awards →
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1989 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography · 1989 · nominated
- BAFTA Award — Best Adapted Screenplay · 1989 · nominated
- Independent Spirit Award — Best Cinematography · 1989 · nominated
- Writers Guild of America Award — Best Adapted Screenplay · 1989 · nominated
- American Society of Cinematographers Award — Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases · 1988 · nominated
- Boston Society of Film Critics Award — Best Actor · 1988 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Motion Picture – Drama · 1988 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture · 1988 · nominated
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1988 · nominated
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Director · 1988 · nominated
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Film · 1988 · nominated
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Cinematography · 1988 · nominated
Cast & crew
Daniel Day-Lewis
as Tomas
Juliette Binoche
as Tereza
Lena Olin
as Sabina
Derek de Lint
as Franz
Stellan Skarsgård
as The Engineer
Erland Josephson
as The Ambassador
Pavel Landovský
as Pavel
Donald Moffat
as Chief Surgeon
Daniel Olbrychski
as Interior Ministry Official
Tomasz Borkowy
as Jiri
Directed by Philip Kaufman