Infused by an erotic and intellectual energy from the outset, The Unbearable Lightness of Being is positively seductive. It's characters are introduced with crisply effective strokes. Writer/director Philip Kaufman's adaptation of Milan Kundera novel comes to joyful life. However, the early stimulation proves overwhelming to the balance of the film.

Running with spirals. ©Columbia

     Character relationships are beautifully realized. The script is rich with detail, presenting Thomas, Sabina and Tereza bathed in a euphoric light. An suffocating odor persists at the edge of  brilliance realized in the coffee house political discussions. I guess you have to see the change coming, whether with foreknowledge of history or with the sense that bright lights must burn out. The problem is that the oppression that casts its pall over Czechoslovakia is more than The Unbearable Lightness of Being can bear. Just as the Soviet tanks rumble through the cobbled Prague streets raining gloomy thunder over the cultural life, the script vitality turns disappointingly dour.  The later parts of the movie rather drag. Still, the relationships are fascinating and Kaufman's confident direction patiently delivers the goods.
    The acting is terrific. The twin feminine flames that ignite Unbearable's passion are each staggeringly beautiful and dynamic in their own way. Lena Olin has the role of her career as erotic Sabina. Juliet Binoche is a breath of fresh air as Tereza. Daniel Day-Lewis has no trouble convincing an audience that he is torn between these two women. 
     Director Philip Kaufman is a polished intellectual filmmaker. A powerful visual style  compliments the ore pensive aspects of his films. His maintains tasteful command over the film.  Production design is a sumptuous. Svwn Nykvist’s photography is stunning.  
      Criterion has put out an excellent DVD. There's plenty of punch to the contrast range while shadow detail retains subtlety. Blacks are deep and velvety. The colors are lush and vital. Detail is terrific. There is some evidence of compression ringing and solid white exaggerated grain. Some decided difficult  material like the cobblestone streets of Prague exhibit minor artifacting. The authentic and simulated newsreel footage blends together nicely and the look is well preserved on DVD. 

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Capturing Kennedy

Steven Culp extracts the essence of Robert F. Kennedy in Roger Donaldson's outstanding feature Thirteen Days. Culp recently shared insights on the performance and his career with Films on Disc. Click the image for more.

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Spartacus (SE) /A, B+

This is one of the great epic films with an animally electric performance from Kirk Douglas. Great special editon.

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The DVD Package