The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Seen it?1988 | 171 min | Drama, Romance
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite a box office loss. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved The Shape of Water or Revolutionary Road, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 51 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's long: 2 hr 51 min.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 BAFTA: Best Adapted Screenplay. Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Best Cinematography. Also nominated for 2 Oscars, 2 Golden Globes and 1 WGA Award. Plus 4 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$10 million worldwide on a $17 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 169K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Philip Kaufman
- Daniel Day-LewisTomas
- Juliette BinocheTereza
- Lena OlinSabina
- Derek de LintFranz
- Stellan SkarsgårdThe Engineer
- Erland JosephsonThe Ambassador
- Pavel LandovskýPavel
- Donald MoffatChief Surgeon
- Daniel OlbrychskiInterior Ministry Official
- Tomasz BorkowyJiri