Product: The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2006)
Rating: 4.0
Great adaptation of the novel
This is one of my favorite movies. Philip Kaufman did an excellent job of translating the novel into film, and the acting is top-notch as well. The performances are strong, and some of the more philosophical elements of the novel are incorporated without creating the awkwardness that might have resulted in the hands of a less-capable director.The biggest surprise was the strong European feel of the film. (Yes, the film was set in Europe - specifically, Prague and Geneva - but American movies shot on location are usually still identifiably American.) The film's portrayal of the sexual relationships in the story is remarkably mature - not something you'd expect from an American film.The quality of the DVD transfer is vastly superior to the laserdisc. It was particularly gratifying to be able to watch the film in one sitting, without interruptions, and without having to change discs halfway through. The additional commentary is good, though the commentary from the wonderful Lena Olin seems slightly out of place amongst the more technical commentary of Philip Kaufman and the others involved.The only drawback to this particular edition is the sound. While the sound quality is excellent, the volume is markedly quieter than that of the other DVDs I've bought so far.