The Unbearable Lightness Of Being [VHS] [1987]: Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Derek de Lint, Erland Josephson, Pavel Landovský, Donald Moffat, Daniel Olbrychski, Stellan Skarsgård, Tomasz Borkowy, Bruce Myers, Pavel Slaby, Sven Nykvist, Philip Kaufman, Bertil Ohlsson, Paul Zaentz, Saul Zaentz, Jean-Claude Carrière, Milan Kundera: Amazon.co.uk: Video

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Amazon.co.uk Review

Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Tomas, the happily irresponsible Czech lover of Milan Kundera's novel, which is set in Prague just before and during the Soviet invasion in 1968. Lena Olin and Juliette Binoche are the two vastly different women who occupy his attention and to some extent represent different sides of his values and personality. In any case, the character's decision to flee Russian tanks with one of them--and then return--has profound consequences on his life. Directed by Philip Kaufman, this rich, erotic, fascinating character study with allegorical overtones is a touchstone for many filmgoers. Several key sequences--such as Olin wearing a bowler hat and writhing most attractively--linger in the memory, while Kaufman's assured sense of the story inspires superb performances all around. --Tom Keogh

Synopsis

Set in 1960's Czechoslovakia, just prior to the Soviet invasion. A womanising brain surgeon, a naive young woman and a beautiful model become involved in an intense yet tragic love triangle.

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4.4 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very bearable, 22 Jan 2004

By	marty mcfly "sparklethewonderhorse" (London, England) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Unbearable Lightness Of Being [DVD] [1987] (DVD)

I believe that the current crop of young director's in Hollywood should be sat down and forced to enjoy this film, for it is a perfect example of exactly how a simple movie can be elevated to a piece of art work. Of course it cannot hurt if your base is a novel worthy in its own right, but the transfer to the screen does not always go this well.

First and foremost there is a little of everything here. Daniel Day-Lewis is possibly the finest method actor of his generation and the subtlety of the Czech accent, the easy passion of the love scenes and the frankly mouth-watering on-screen tension with Lena Olin is a joy to behold. As for Olin herself, i may be alone, but i think she oozes sexuality and temptation here in a way that a Sharon Stone never could in Basic Instinct. Juliette Binoche is also one of the finest actresses of a generation (Alice et Martin, Three Colurs Blue and an Oscar for the terrible English Patient where she was the only thing worth watching) and she portrays the innocence and vulnerability of Theresa with an effortlessness that she deploys in all of her film roles. As for her display of under-arm hair, i have nothing to add!

Take three fine lead performances, add the perfect, haunting, musical score and the tense backdrop of the Prague Spring of 1968 and we almost have a perfect film. At times the story meanders and at 2h 46mins, does lose the attention into the third hour. I wondered at times why more was not made of the on-screen dynamic between the two female leads and also why the camera dwelt for such long periods on Day-Lewis driving his East-European motor vehicle, but it all adds to the period feel of the piece.

If you do not feel sad come the end, i should be extremely surprised, this is an excellent and engaging piece of film-making.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unbearably long yes but it proves to be a bittersweet romance, 30 Jun 2007

By	Jenny J.J.I. "A New Yorker" (That Lives in Northern Nevada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Unbearable Lightness of Being [DVD] (DVD)

One of the most haunting aspects of this movie is that my video store today has it under the "Adult entertainment" section which I thought was a joke. I first saw this on its release in 1988 at the age when I shouldn't have seen it. I'd forgotten so many details of it, and I was newly impressed at the film for the second time.

That aside, I must say that despite the length (and a tendency for some parts to be longer than they should have been), this is a very good film. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Tomas so brilliantly, it's hard to think of him in his other familiar roles (Last of the Mohicans, for instance). Juliette Binoche is also great as Tereza Tomas wife. Supporting characters come and go, and the tone frequently changes with little warning. But those two things work perfectly within the context of the movie. Lena Olin, as Sabrina, does well on her role as a sculptor who also can find no place for love without freedom in her life. Her relationship with Tomas is based upon friendship and convenience. Their lovemaking is passionate but not empty or cold. If there is love, it is left unspoken.

You can see how Teresa, Tomas and Sabina's actions flow from what they are on the *inside*: This film shows how Tomas is driven to his womanizing by his need to be 'light', and how Teresa finds this 'lightness' unbearable by her need for intimacy.

Add on the absolutely mesmerizing cinematography (it acts as naturally as Teresa, Tomas, and Sabina do), and music that seems written for the movie yet is over 60 years old. This is truly a beautiful European film. Not in the ersatz 'Chocolat' style, but in the tradition of Krieslowski and Wajda. Within itself, it is a very moral film. It has a simple beauty that does not wear its heart on its sleeve, but within the wonderfully understated performances that also include Derek De Lindt and the great Stefan Skarsgaard.

You can easily enjoy this film on both TV or on DVD/VHS. If you're not able see it on TV then don't hesitate to rent it or buy it.

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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JUST SUPERB, 25 May 2004

By	Mr. Wt Makhathini "thandam" (Durban, South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Unbearable Lightness Of Being [DVD] [1987] (DVD)

One of those movies you have to have in your collection. I could not say more than what other reviewers have said. Superb acting by all cast Juliette Benoche alwayz amazing as a young naive girl."take off your clothes im a doctor" Wow! i wish i could do that without getting into trouble. you have to see it to believe it.One of the best things I love about this movie is the story line very beautiful,excellent sounds, picture, scenary just beautiful.Watch it with the one you love the most.It will stay in your mind forever.