The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988): cast, story & where to watch
1988 · Film · ★ 6.9
Released in 1988, The Unbearable Lightness of Being is a comedy, drama and romance film directed by Philip Kaufman, running about 171 minutes. “A lovers' story” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Successful surgeon Tomas leaves Prague for an operation, meets a young photographer named Tereza, and brings her back with him. Tereza is surprised to learn that Tomas is already having an affair with the bohemian Sabina, but when the Soviet invasion occurs, all three flee to Switzerland. Sabina begins an affair, Tom continues womanizing, and Tereza, disgusted, returns to Czechoslovakia. Realizing his mistake, Tomas decides to chase after her.
Who’s in it. The Unbearable Lightness of Being stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Tomas, Juliette Binoche as Tereza, Lena Olin as Sabina and Derek de Lint as Franz, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, The Unbearable Lightness of Being has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $10M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Unbearable Lightness of Being page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Unbearable Lightness of Being tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Unbearable Lightness of Being change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Unbearable Lightness of Being worth watching?
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Unbearable Lightness of Being?
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Derek de Lint and Stellan Skarsgård.
- When was The Unbearable Lightness of Being released?
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being was released in 1988, with a runtime of about 171 minutes.