Search - The Unbearable Lightness of Being on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children Movie Release: 1988 DVD Release: 09/17/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 53 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 17 Genres: Drama, Erotic Drama, Political Drama, Marriage Drama See Also: The Unbearable Lightness of Being [Special Edition] [Criterion Collection], The Unbearable Lightness of Being [Special Edition]

In Philip Kaufman's surprisingly successful film adaptation of Czech author Milan Kundera's demanding 1984 bestseller, Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Tomas, an overly amorous Prague surgeon, while Juliette Binoche plays Tereza, the waiflike beauty whom he marries. Even though he's supposedly committed, Tomas continues his wanton womanizing, notably with his silken mistress Sabina (Lena Olin). Escaping the 1968 Russian invasion of Prague by heading for Geneva, Sabina takes up with another man and unexpectedly develops a friendship with Tereza. Meanwhile, Tomas, who previously was interested only in sex, becomes politicized by the collapse of Czechoslovakia's Dubcek regime. The Unbearable Lightness of Being may be too leisurely for some viewers, but other viewers may feel the same warm sense of inner satisfaction that is felt after finishing a good, long novel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Daniel Day-Lewis - Tomas
Juliette Binoche - Tereza
Lena Olin - Sabina
Derek de Lint - Franz
Erland Josephson - The Ambassador

Philip Kaufman's accomplished adaptation of The Unbearable Lightness of Being comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. English, French, and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. This is a solid release from MGM/UA for anyone interested in just the film, but a Criterion release does exist that contains a commentary track from the director. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide