Product: The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2006)
Rating: 5.0
Complex film beautifully and skillfully executed
Philip Kaufman's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" is an exceptional adaptation of Milan Kundera's equally provocative novel of the same title. The film explores the "lightness" of freedom without consequence versus the "weight" of responsibility that may bring greater reward. As the title suggests, the main character reaches a point when the lightness of his life becomes an unbearable burden.The film translates this philosophy through three main characters living in 1968 Prague during the Russian invasion. Tomas, brilliantly played by Daniel Day-Lewis, is a surgeon living a very free, sexual, and uncomplicated life. He enjoys an open relationship with voluptuous Sabine (Lena Olin in her best performance to date), an artist who values her "lightness" more than Tomas. Tomas and Sabine meet conveniently for passionate encounters and seem to have a comfortable understanding of one another. Their relationship is so amenable that Sabine agrees to mentor Tereza, a young impetuous waitress (played by Juliette Binoche) who has run away to Prague to live with a skeptical Tomas.Tomas first appears amused and detached; he moves from woman to woman with a smile and ease. Over the course of the film, we watch his behavior change as he begins to question his feelings. While he marries Tereza, he continues his extra-marital relationships as Tereza suffers and struggles to understand his needs. She questions, "How can you make love and not be in love?" Her inability to accept and change her position forces Tomas to reconsider his behavior.Against the backdrop of the invasion, these characters struggle with the complexity of their feelings and needs, often confused, frustrated, and heart-breaking. This is an adult film filled with many sensually choreographed scenes. We quickly realize that Sabine represents pure sex, Tereza pure love, and Tomas is wrestling with the two.However, it is unfair to characterize this well-edited film as a simple love triangle. The film integrates real footage from the 1968 invasion into the characters' story. Tereza uses her new skills to photograph her beloved Prague and its resistance. Her photos are confiscated and used to identify sympathizers; she herself is arrested. This leads to difficult and live-changing decisions that impact Tomas as well. Sabine wrestles with her own conscience to choose between lightness and weight. This film handles the unbearable lightness of being beautifully and skillfully; it is an excellent film.