BrianKoller's Full Review: Unbearable Lightness of Being
Perhaps the worst aspect of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" is the satire-prone title, which many people undoubtedly interpreted as "The Unbearable Length of an Art Film". It is true that at 171 minutes, the film drags a little in the second half. But the title, which refers to Tereza's explanation for returning to Czechoslovakia, is far more pretentious than the film itself. In fact, the film has more warmth and eroticism than anything else. The film's backdrop may be the 1968 Russian invasion that toppled the progressive Czech government, but the script is much more interested in following the frequent sexual liaisons of its lead characters.
That is not to say that politics aren't present,
only that they provide a context. The communists
are subtly sinister bureaucrats, using
intimidation and blackmail to put fear in the
hearts of the people. But whenever politics
threatens to dominate the film, the characters
leave Prague, and the script can again focus on
philanderings and infidelities.
Daniel Day Lewis is Tomas, an ingratiating brain
surgeon with a talent for seducing beautiful
women. (The film's signature line is "Take off
your clothes".) His favorite partner is Sabina
(Lena Olin), who shares his free-spirited
philosophy. Tomas begins a committed relationship
with Tereza (Juliette Binoche), whom he
eventually marries. But he is unable to stop
philandering. Meanwhile, Soviet tanks arrive in
Prague. Our leads flee to Switzerland, where
Sabina begins an adulterous relationship with
naive Franz (Derek de Lint).
While Olin was the only cast member to receive a
significant acting nomination (Golden Globe Best
Supporting Actress), Binoche and Lewis are
equally good. Daniel Day Lewis may be the best
actor of this generation, and he is as convincing
here as he was with drastically different (and
more challenging) characters in films such as "A
Room with a View", "My Left Foot", and "In the
Name of the Father".
"Being" received Academy Award nominations for
Best Adapted Screenplay (Jean-Claude Carriere and
Philip Kaufman, based on the Milan Kundera novel)
and Best Cinematography (Sven Nykist; the film
was shot in France due to Czech politics). The
Golden Globes nominated "Being" for Best Picture.
Still, much credit must go to Kaufman, as his
direction makes the characters sensual, credible
and compelling. (93/100)
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