The Unbearable Lightness of Being

1988
18
2h 51m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

40K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,232

Lena Olin in The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)

Drama Romance

A doctor in 1968 Prague struggles with monogamy to his wife's frustration, and then the Soviet invasion further disrupts their lives.A doctor in 1968 Prague struggles with monogamy to his wife's frustration, and then the Soviet invasion further disrupts their lives.A doctor in 1968 Prague struggles with monogamy to his wife's frustration, and then the Soviet invasion further disrupts their lives.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

40K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,232

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 7 wins & 14 nominations total

Pavel
(as Pavel Landovsky)

Donald Moffat

Chief Surgeon

Daniel Olbrychski

Interior Ministry Official

Stellan Skarsgård

The Engineer
(as Stellan Skarsgard)

Tomasz Borkowy

Jiri
(as Tomek Bork)

Bruce Myers

Czech Editor

Pavel Slabý

Pavel's Nephew
(as Pavel Slaby)

Pascale Kalensky

Nurse Katya

Jacques Ciron

Swiss Restaurant Manager

Anne Lonnberg

Swiss Photographer

László Szabó

Russian Interrogator
(as Laszlo Szabo)

Vladimír Valenta

Mayor

Clovis Cornillac

Boy in Bar

Director
- Philip Kaufman
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The first cut shown to the studio was under two hours in length and the story was confusing. Philip Kaufman was asked to add in scenes he cut. The next day they were shown the theatrically released version. It's believed Kaufman showed them a shorter and confusing version in order to get his almost three-hour final cut approved with no questions of cutting it.

Goofs
Mephisto the Pig, consistently referred to as "he", is a sow, as can be seen frequently, but particularly when the group enters the inn for dancing.

Quotes
Tereza: I know I'm supposed to help you, but I can't. Instead of being your support, I'm your weight. Life is very heavy to me, but it is so light to you. I can't bear this lightness, this freedom... I'm not strong enough.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Shoot to Kill/The Serpent and the Rainbow/She's Having a Baby/The Unbearable Lightness of Being/School Daze (1988)

User reviews162

Featured review

Previous reviewer misunderstood movie...

I would have to disagree with the previous reviewer. First of all, the movie should have a "euro" feel to it because it's about Europeans, in Europe, and their European mentality. No car chases here, hot shot. That being said, I only have great praise for this film. It's a tremendous attempt to put to screen the subtle understanding Milan Kundera has of the human condition, and it surprisingly succeeds. For those more interested, I recommend you pick up some of his novels (start with a short story if you are pressed for time) and you, too, will realize why he is one of the best storytellers alive today.