The Light Between Oceans

If one has seen a movie filled with emotion to the point of heart wrenching, “The Light Between Oceans” may be considered close to describing the film directed by Derek Cianfrance and adapted from the novel written by M.L. Stedman. The story centers upon a lighthouse located on Janus Island and involves the pivotal main characters Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fessbender) a veteran of World War I who returns home to Australia and finds work at the lighthouse and meets the daughter of Tom’s boss Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander). What appears to be play out obvious and predictable within the storyline immediately takes a turn once the couple marries and attempts to conceive a child. It is from this point that the film and story becomes extremely dramatic and at times slow-pace but with immense intensity. The story is the core of the film but its strands of themes that emerge that are portrayed by the characters and the landscape in which they dwell. It is exceptionally captured by the cinematography and camera work that is not necessarily spoken within the dialogue but through their facial expressions and gestures. It is evident that Tom and Isabel experience challenges, especially attempting to establish a family of their own and after several attempts reaching to the point that it will never happen. And when all appeared hopeless, a dingy appears that may have come from a shipwreck and buried within the boat a man and a baby; one can guess what happens after that, Tom and Isabel are overjoyed. But before they can completely be at ease, other events transpire within the film that includes Rachel Weisz who plays widow and mother that had recently lost her child Hannah Roennfeldt, and the story further spirals as a mystery. And what looms in the balance one day, putting all of the pieces together to where the child came from and Tom confronting the truth while dealing with his own demons as a result of the war. “The Light Between Oceans” is enlightening as it is thought provoking and is worth an afternoon or movie night to watch.

Favorite movie

This is the movie in which Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender met and fell in love - for real. Alicia is riveting in her performance, which encompasses so many facets of genuine human emotions. Her tremendous love and affection for her real life husband-to-be is palpable on-screen and a joy to see! Her unbridled joy descends to the the depths of human sorrow in the events which follow. No spoilers here. Buy and watch the movie. You won't regret your purchase. In my humble opinion, Alicia absolutely deserved to win an Oscar for her dynamic performance in this film also. She is a tremendously gifted actress who I believe will take home more Oscars in the years ahead. Her husband Michael Fassbender gives a heroic, albeit somewhat stoic performance, befitting his character's shell-shocked, post World War I nature. A superbly crafted love drama with twists and turns like no other which merits repeat viewings!!!

This movie is very long, very dramatic, and monotonous. Embark on watching this movie only if you're (1) prepared to spend 2 depressing hours, (2) you like heavy dramas or dramatic novels, and (3) you're not easily disturbed emotionally. This is a story about a World War I veteran who falls in love with a young woman and marries her. Then a number of tragedies come into the newly formed family, which leaves the family childless. Thereafter, the main characters resort to a very controversial move that changes their whole life, and the rest of the story is about the consequences of that choice. The movie touches on such themes as love to a man vs love to a child and moral dilemmas. It's generally about life and people's poor choices, love, resentment, forgiveness, and atonement. ------- PROS ------- -- a brilliantly acted movie -- philosophically rich -- stunning scenery, which is very symbolic of the main movie conflicts; this is something that would be hard to picture while reading the book, but the movie did a really god job picturing the atmosphere expressed in writing. -- the problem brought forth by the movie appeals equally to men and women -- despite deepest tragedies, the movie is somewhat life-affirming and doesn't give a one-sided view of what is right or what is wrong - the judgement rests with the viewer ------- CONS ------- -- a box of Cleanex may be much needed -- long, sometimes boring and action-deficient -- although the acting is magnificent, the characters are not fully developed -- possibly due to little action.. At the end of the movie, I cannot say much about the main characters, I feel I don't know them a lot.. Still I would recommend watching this movie. Despite it's long, heavy, and a little boring, it's so much better than other stupid movies on the market. It makes you think and reconsider your life values. And -- most important -- it gives good life lessons.

This film blew me away. It is a heartwarming yet tragic tale of a childless couple who desperately want a child. When they find an abandoned baby in a small boat with the dead body of a man, they decide to keep the child as their own, leading to a tragic ending. Filled with twists and turns that kept my interest throughout. Beautifully filmed and perfectly acted, especially by the two leads. The music soundtrack was spellbinding. Filled with the atmosphere of the lighthouse island. Don’t expect a feel good ending. It is a real tearjerker. Keep a box of tissues handy. But don’t miss this 5+ masterpiece of filmmaking.

A love story where the desire for children eventually bonds a difficult challenge to save a marriage. it is sad and rewarding to view this movie. The main actress is just wonderful and a beauty.

Poche volte ho avuto la gioia di vedere un film così ricco di emozioni perché sarà anche per il fatto che i registi di oggi sfornano per la maggior parte spazzatura ma nel mucchio si fa notare una perla rara, basta quella lacrima che riesce a strappare, quel cuore infranto, quella struggente storia d'amore che ha riscritto i canoni del vero amore! Insomma, la critica lo ha elogiato come un capolavoro, è stato premiato con 3 Oscar, il pubblico lo ha osannato, io personalmente lo ho amato fin da subito! Ecco, se siete alla ricerca di emozioni, questo sicuramente vi farà battere forte forte il cuore, la lacrima scenderà da sola come per incanto, una storia ben raccontata e ben diretta, un film che io preferisco al pari di La La Land (che amo tantissimo e che ho). Se volete una cineteca di qualità a casa vostra non fatevi sfuggire questo trionfo per l'anima, lo spirito ed il vostro cuore! Consigliatissimo! Nota finale: questo film non è in riassortimento, ciò significa che prima o poi terminerà e ci sarà il rischio di non poterlo più avere, quindi approfittatene!

Stuck well to the book this is a film which ending made a 17 year old boy cry...

Que l'on ne se fie pas à sa bande-annonce, le nouveau film de Derek Cianfrance n'est pas un simple drame romantique. Au contraire, il s'inscrit dans la droite lignée de la filmographie du réalisateur, tant les thématiques du péché et de la filiation semblent continuer de la hanter. On pourra certes regretter le ton légèrement plus mielleux que celui de Blue Valentine ou de Place Beyond the Pines, mais restent derrière ce léger changement de tonalité des plans sublimes, une bande-originale discrète mais soutenant parfaitement le film (mention spéciale au sublime cantique funéraire de John Tavener, déjà utilisé dans le Tree of Life de Malick), et des acteurs qui, sans forcer, expriment la sensibilité à fleur de peau de leurs personnages tout comme le drame existentiel qui se joue à travers eux. Chaudement recommandé.

“The Light Between Oceans”, I found to be an excellent film. The acting from all the cast is superb, and the directing from Derek Cianfrance is brilliant (there is information within the Extra Features on the DVD regarding the his approach to his directing during the making of the film), the cinematography is outstanding, as is the whole feel of the film with regard to costumes, sets, music etc. Characters and especially those characters as given by the lead actors (Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz) are well defined and the narrative is given in a way that is paced brilliantly – it is not a rushed film and yet over the space of just a couple of hours you get a real feel for the length of time over which the story is told. It is a multi layered story that begs the question – “What would I have done in that persons shoes?” and Derek Cianfrance, the cast and all involved in the film have conveyed that brilliantly. This is no small budget film, but it has managed to avoid being spoiled by Hollywood clichés and I would highly recommend watching it to anyone who appreciated a good story well told. My review is of the “film” and not a review for the “film of the novel” if you see the distinction, as I think it can be unfair to make a comparison, as you are not really comparing “like with like”. I did though, read the novel when it was first published and though that it was brilliant, and remember being surprised after finishing the novel to see at least one review that said something along the lines of “a good bit of Chick-lit”, as I found the story to be very intelligent and absolutely stunning, and “a good bit of Chick-lit” would not suggest “stunning” to me. The story, whether one finds it in the novel or as it is portrayed in the film is an excellent story, and I would recommend the story to anyone who enjoys a good story told well. Watch and enjoy the film, and it goes without saying that I would wholeheartedly recommend reading the novel. The extra features on the DVD are definitely worth taking a look at. On the DVD you get: “The Light Between Oceans” (2 hours 7 minutes) Scene Selection Set Up: Audio English 5.1, English 2.0 Audio Description Audio Commentary with Director Derek Cianfrance and Film studies Professor Phil Solomo Subtitles: Optional English SDH (For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) Bonus Features: Bringing “The Light” To Life (16 minutes) Lighthouse Keeper (5 minutes)