The Light Between Oceans - Review
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz
Adapted form the M. L. Stedman novel of the same name, The Light Between Oceans has promised audiences a period piece tale of weepy and emotionally melodramatic proportions. Starring two of the finest actors working today and directed by Derek Cianfrance, a director known for his evocative style, the flick, by all accounts, is in safe and nurturing hands.
After a traumatic four years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender) retreats to a quiet life as a lighthouse keeper on the isolated Janus Rock. Whilst on a visit to the mainland, he begins a courtship with Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander), and they soon marry and begin an idyllic life together on Janus. Their desires to start a family are dashed when Isabel tragically suffers several miscarriages; but one day, a boat inexplicably washes ashore, harbouring a dead man and a newborn baby girl. Isabel convinces a reluctant Tom to allow them to keep the baby in order to start their much longed for family - but how long can their deceit remain a secret?
Fassbender and Vikander as Tom and Isabel give simply stunning performances as the couple who endure the most tumultuous of times. It's no secret that the acting couplet met and began their relationship during this film's production; the chemistry between the two is evident and given the level of emotional intensity the characters share, it's no surprise that life imitated art. Whilst Vikander delivers another reliably phenomenal performance as the bold and unabashedly headstrong Isabel, Fassbender perfectly embodies Tom, a former solider committed to living a peaceful life and adhering to the rules, but above all, intent on making his wife resolutely happy. It's these qualities in Tom that make the decisions he makes and actions he takes so plausible, and ultimately consistent with his character.
The Light Between Oceans must certainly be in contention for the film with the highest volume of crying, as there often isn't a scene where tears aren't streaming down Tom or Isabel's face, whether they be tears of heartbreak, love or elation. These extremely emotional displays are so intimate, that we as an audience feel almost intrusive for prying and bearing witness to such stripped and honest demonstrations of human endurance and desperation.
Although the film is often intimate, it is undeniably a big, sweeping, consuming romantic drama that harks back to old Hollywood. So much so, it's a surprise that the picture was produced in the current movie climate. The choice of material for writer/director Derek Cianfrance is also relatively abnormal; his previous work includes the melancholic romance Blue Valentine and the drama thriller The Place Beyond the Pines. Both of these films feel thoroughly modern and present a more pessimistic and bleak view of relationships, whereas The Light Between Oceans is the champion of the notion of ever lasting love.
Due to the somewhat old-fashioned nature of the genre, the film was in danger of possibly veering into cliched and cheesy territory, but thankfully it has been carefully guided to avoid these pitfalls. The montage depicting Tom and Isabel in various states of bliss and loving joy runs the risk of inducing eye-rolls, but it's wonderful to witness their blossoming love before things become well and truly complicated. Unfortunately, it's when things become complicated for our two leads that the film loses its powerful momentum. The last third of The Light Between Oceans is rushed towards its denouement, robbing certain moments and developments of their emotional weight that are fleshed out so convincingly in the novel.
Overall, whilst the film's final third does not match or exceed the quality of the first two, The Light Between Oceans thrives off of two dazzling lead performances and a central conflict that will break your heart many times over.
EB
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz
Adapted form the M. L. Stedman novel of the same name, The Light Between Oceans has promised audiences a period piece tale of weepy and emotionally melodramatic proportions. Starring two of the finest actors working today and directed by Derek Cianfrance, a director known for his evocative style, the flick, by all accounts, is in safe and nurturing hands.After a traumatic four years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender) retreats to a quiet life as a lighthouse keeper on the isolated Janus Rock. Whilst on a visit to the mainland, he begins a courtship with Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander), and they soon marry and begin an idyllic life together on Janus. Their desires to start a family are dashed when Isabel tragically suffers several miscarriages; but one day, a boat inexplicably washes ashore, harbouring a dead man and a newborn baby girl. Isabel convinces a reluctant Tom to allow them to keep the baby in order to start their much longed for family - but how long can their deceit remain a secret?
Fassbender and Vikander as Tom and Isabel give simply stunning performances as the couple who endure the most tumultuous of times. It's no secret that the acting couplet met and began their relationship during this film's production; the chemistry between the two is evident and given the level of emotional intensity the characters share, it's no surprise that life imitated art. Whilst Vikander delivers another reliably phenomenal performance as the bold and unabashedly headstrong Isabel, Fassbender perfectly embodies Tom, a former solider committed to living a peaceful life and adhering to the rules, but above all, intent on making his wife resolutely happy. It's these qualities in Tom that make the decisions he makes and actions he takes so plausible, and ultimately consistent with his character.
The Light Between Oceans must certainly be in contention for the film with the highest volume of crying, as there often isn't a scene where tears aren't streaming down Tom or Isabel's face, whether they be tears of heartbreak, love or elation. These extremely emotional displays are so intimate, that we as an audience feel almost intrusive for prying and bearing witness to such stripped and honest demonstrations of human endurance and desperation.
Although the film is often intimate, it is undeniably a big, sweeping, consuming romantic drama that harks back to old Hollywood. So much so, it's a surprise that the picture was produced in the current movie climate. The choice of material for writer/director Derek Cianfrance is also relatively abnormal; his previous work includes the melancholic romance Blue Valentine and the drama thriller The Place Beyond the Pines. Both of these films feel thoroughly modern and present a more pessimistic and bleak view of relationships, whereas The Light Between Oceans is the champion of the notion of ever lasting love.
Due to the somewhat old-fashioned nature of the genre, the film was in danger of possibly veering into cliched and cheesy territory, but thankfully it has been carefully guided to avoid these pitfalls. The montage depicting Tom and Isabel in various states of bliss and loving joy runs the risk of inducing eye-rolls, but it's wonderful to witness their blossoming love before things become well and truly complicated. Unfortunately, it's when things become complicated for our two leads that the film loses its powerful momentum. The last third of The Light Between Oceans is rushed towards its denouement, robbing certain moments and developments of their emotional weight that are fleshed out so convincingly in the novel.
Overall, whilst the film's final third does not match or exceed the quality of the first two, The Light Between Oceans thrives off of two dazzling lead performances and a central conflict that will break your heart many times over.
EB
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