i think phillip kaufman read the cliff note version of the kundera novel and then set about make this film . okay and of course it would not have the punch of the original . kundera novel be great because of his manipulation of the narrative concept and his ability to step in and out of story he construct . this film do not even try . the one dream sequence of tereza and so vital to the atmosphere of the book and be rework and make no sense whatsoever . also and and this be perhaps a less point and daniel day lewis look a lot like ben stiller in this ( i know it not really a valid complaint and but hey ) . a perfect example of the hollywood izing of otherwise fine literature .