IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 34 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   11,530 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Milan Kundera (novel)
Jean-Claude Carrière (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Unbearable Lightness of Being on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 February 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A Lovers Story.
Plot:
In 1968, a Czech doctor with an active sex life meets a woman who wants monogamy, and then the Soviet invasion further disrupts their lives. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations more
User Reviews:
Previous reviewer misunderstood movie... more (108 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Daniel Day-Lewis ... Tomas

Juliette Binoche ... Tereza

Lena Olin ... Sabina
Derek de Lint ... Franz
Erland Josephson ... The Ambassador
Pavel Landovský ... Pavel
Donald Moffat ... Chief Surgeon
Daniel Olbrychski ... Interior Ministry Official

Stellan Skarsgård ... The Engineer
Tomasz Borkowy ... Jiri (as Tomek Bork)
Bruce Myers ... Czech Editor
Pavel Slaby ... Pavel's Nephew
Pascale Kalensky ... Nurse Katja
Jacques Ciron ... Swiss Restaurant Manager
Anne Lonnberg ... Swiss Photographer
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
171 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2005) | Canada:PG (Ontario) (re-rating) (2005) | Canada:R (Manitoba) (2005) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) (original rating) | Iceland:14 | Argentina:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Hong Kong:III | Singapore:R21 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The house that Sabina is living in at the end when she's in America really belongs to film editor Walter Murch. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The vintage camera used by Tereza and Sabina in their photo-shoot is a PRAKTICA LTL and it was not released till 1970. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
First Title Card: In Prague, in 1968, there lived a young doctor named Tomas...
Tomas: Take off your clothes.
[line recurs several times during film]
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
25 out of 42 people found the following review useful.
Previous reviewer misunderstood movie..., 21 July 2003
Author: John from New York

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.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (108 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Ending MrAndersen
Awful, bad, horrible movie. schtrunfe
ONCE AGAIN: the ending - plothole? wim_mols
SPOILER Was Tomas finished with other women? fentress
Question about reference to this movie sparrowspearl882
Why? lady_galya
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Die Blechtrommel Children of the Revolution Novecento Bad Timing Sunshine
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.