The Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being 1988

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Plot Summary


Tomas is a prominent brain surgeon living in communist Czechoslovakia, who finds himself embroiled in an affair with the free-spirited Sabina, an artist based in Prague. During a visit to a serene spa town for a specialized surgical procedure, Tomas encounters Tereza, a discontented waitress yearning for intellectual engagement. Tereza tracks him down in Prague, leading to her moving in with him and complicating the dynamics of their relationships.

In a bid to help Tereza build a career as a photographer, Tomas enlists Sabina’s help. As Tereza begins to see the connections between Tomas and Sabina, she experiences a pang of jealousy mixed with fascination. Despite their complicated situation, Tereza and Sabina develop a heartfelt friendship. Eventually, Tomas and Tereza wed in a simple, joyous ceremony, yet tensions arise as Tereza struggles with Tomas’s ongoing infidelities. This emotional turmoil deepens when the Soviet Army invades Czechoslovakia, prompting Tereza to photograph protests against the regime. She ingeniously manages to pass her films to foreigners for safekeeping in the West.

Faced with the oppressive climate back home, Tomas, Sabina, and Tereza flee Czechoslovakia, making their way to Switzerland, with Sabina venturing out first, followed by the hesitant Tomas and Tereza. In Geneva, Sabina begins a passionate affair with Franz, a married professor, but ultimately decides to end the relationship when she realizes he plans to leave his family for her, fearing his attachment might weigh her down emotionally.

Meanwhile, Tomas and Tereza adapt to life in Switzerland, but Tereza feels alienated by the unwelcoming Swiss culture. When she discovers Tomas has resumed his promiscuous behavior, she makes the tough choice to return home. Hurt by her departure, Tomas follows her back to Czechoslovakia, where his passport is seized upon arrival, trapping him there. Yet, their reunion fuels their love.

Efforts to resume his medical career are thwarted by a critical article he wrote prior to the invasion, which makes him a target of the government. Refusing to retract his claims, Tomas finds himself blacklisted and ends up working as a window washer, all while continuing his womanizing ways.

Amidst these turbulence, Tereza encounters an engineer who propositions her during her waitressing job. In a moment of weakness, she engages in a fleeting, emotionless affair. Overcome with guilt, she fears that he could be an informant for the StB secret police, jeopardizing both her and Tomas’s safety. Just when she contemplates ending her life at a canal, serendipitously, Tomas appears and persuades her to return with him.

Longing for a simpler existence away from the oppressive city, Tereza nudges Tomas to retreat to the countryside. They find solace living with an old patient of Tomas’s in a serene village, escaping the political drama of Prague. On the other hand, Sabina embraces a wild bohemian life in the U.S. In a twist of fate, Sabina’s sense of shock comes from an unexpected letter revealing that Tereza and Tomas have suffered a tragic car accident.

In a poignant conclusion, the film portrays Tomas and Tereza driving along a rain-soaked country road just moments before calamity strikes, as Tomas joyfully shares with Tereza how genuinely happy he feels in that moment.

Timeline


Tomas and Sabina's Affair Begins

Tomas, a distinguished brain surgeon, is drawn into a passionate affair with Sabina, a free-spirited artist. Their relationship blossoms amidst the backdrop of the restrictive environment of communist Czechoslovakia.

Prague

Tereza's Introduction

During a stay at a tranquil spa town, Tomas meets Tereza, a dissatisfied waitress seeking deeper intellectual connection. Their encounter sets off a chain of events that complicates the existing relationships Tomas has.

Spa Town

Tereza Moves In with Tomas

After tracking down Tomas in Prague, Tereza decides to move in with him, intertwining her life with his and Sabina's. This development creates new emotional complexities as they all navigate their connections.

Prague

Building a Career

Tomas supports Tereza in pursuing her passion for photography by seeking Sabina's assistance. As Tereza works on her career, feelings of jealousy emerge as she recognizes the bond between Tomas and Sabina.

Tomas and Tereza's Wedding

In a simple yet joyous ceremony, Tomas and Tereza exchange vows, formalizing their relationship. However, underlying tensions from Tomas's infidelities threaten their domestic bliss soon after.

Soviet Invasion

As the Soviet Army invades Czechoslovakia, Tereza reacts by passionately documenting protests throughout the city. She cleverly manages to pass her photographs to foreigners, preserving evidence of the regime's oppression.

Czechoslovakia

Fleeing Czechoslovakia

Amid the oppressive climate, Tomas, Tereza, and Sabina decide to flee to Switzerland. Sabina leaves first, followed by a hesitant Tomas and Tereza, marking a significant shift in their lives.

Czechoslovakia

Sabina's Affair in Geneva

Once in Geneva, Sabina engages in a passionate affair with Franz, a married professor. However, realizing the emotional weight of such a relationship, she ultimately chooses to end it and pursue her independence.

Geneva

Tereza Returns to Czechoslovakia

Feeling alienated in Switzerland, Tereza decides to return home after discovering Tomas's continued infidelities. This decision prompts Tomas to follow her back, leading to a renewed yet tumultuous connection.

Czechoslovakia

Tomas's Career Setbacks

Returning to Czechoslovakia, Tomas finds himself blacklisted due to an article he wrote exposing government failings. Unable to practice medicine, he reluctantly takes up window washing, while continuing his previous lifestyle.

Tereza's Moment of Weakness

While working as a waitress, Tereza succumbs to vulnerability and engages in a brief affair with an engineer. Overwhelmed by guilt and fear of governmental reprisal, she contemplates a drastic decision at a canal.

Czechoslovakia

Reunion at the Canal

Just as Tereza considers ending her turmoil at a canal, Tomas arrives to convince her to return with him. Their reunion reignites their love, despite the chaos surrounding them.

Canal

Retreat to the Countryside

Yearning for peace from the suffocating city life, Tereza persuades Tomas to relocate to the countryside. They find solace with an old patient of Tomas’s, allowing them to escape the harsh political realities.

Countryside

Sabina's Bohemian Life in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Sabina embraces a free-spirited bohemian lifestyle in the U.S., far from traditional constraints. However, she is shocked to receive a letter revealing that Tereza and Tomas have suffered a tragic car accident.

U.S.

Tragic Car Accident

The film culminates in a heartbreaking moment where Tomas and Tereza are driving on a rainy country road. Just moments before disaster strikes, they share a fleeting moment of happiness, emphasizing the fragility of life.

Country Road

Characters


Tomas (Stellan Skarsgård)

Tomas is a complex character, torn between his desires for love and freedom. As a brain surgeon, he exhibits intelligence and charm, yet his infidelities reveal a deeper struggle with commitment. His relationships with Tereza and Sabina showcase his inner conflict and vulnerability in the face of societal pressures.

🏥 Surgeon ❤️ Romance 💔 Infidelity

Tereza (Juliette Binoche)

Tereza is a passionate and sensitive woman seeking intellectual companionship. Her journey from a discontented waitress to a photographer reflects her evolution and resilience. Complicated by her relationship with Tomas, she grapples with jealousy and insecurity, culminating in her quest for love and self-identity.

📷 Photographer ❤️ Love 😔 Jealousy

Sabina (Lena Olin)

Sabina embodies the spirit of freedom and rebellion, navigating her relationships with Tomas and Tereza with a blend of courage and emotional detachment. As an artist, she represents the bohemian life, contrasting with the more stable desires of Tereza. Her complexity lies in her fear of emotional entanglements, despite her deep connections.

🎨 Artist ⚡ Freedom 💔 Turmoil

Setting


Time period

1960s-1970s

The film is set during a tumultuous period in Czechoslovakia, just before and after the Soviet invasion of 1968. This era is marked by a struggle for personal freedoms against a backdrop of political strife and artistic expression. The social climate heavily influences the characters' choices and relationships, reflecting the clash between personal desires and societal expectations.

Location

Czechoslovakia, Prague, Switzerland, Geneva, U.S.

Czechoslovakia serves as the primary backdrop, showcasing life under communist rule and the tension of political oppression. Prague, the capital, is depicted with its rich cultural tapestry, thriving art scene, and the struggles of its people. Switzerland symbolizes freedom and a refuge from the oppressive regime, while Geneva becomes a pivotal setting for personal transformation and deep connections. The U.S. represents a bohemian lifestyle, contrasting with the characters' troubled pasts.

🇨🇿 Czechoslovakia 🏙️ Prague 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🌍 Global

Themes


💔

Love and Infidelity

The theme of love intertwines deeply with infidelity, as Tomas balances his relationships with Tereza and Sabina. This complexity highlights human vulnerabilities and the quest for meaningful connections amidst betrayal. Tereza's emotional struggles reveal the pains of love while encapsulating the yearning for stability.

🌏

Exile and Freedom

The characters' journey from Czechoslovakia to Switzerland signifies a fight for freedom from oppressive political systems. Their experiences of exile resonate with the desire for liberation and a fresh start, showcasing the sacrifices made in the pursuit of a more fulfilling life.

📸

Art and Expression

Art plays a significant role, particularly through Tereza's photography and Sabina's artistic endeavors. It serves as a means of resistance and personal expression against the constraints of their reality. The intertwining of art and life reflects the characters' search for identity amid turmoil.

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