The Light Between Oceans is a film for the literary sort. It’s poetically paced, languid in its development. It’s about a man (Michael Fassbender) who, having survived the war, is keen on some isolation and takes a job as a lighthouse keeper on a lonely island. He doesn’t count on falling in love, and is delighted to double the population of his rock when he takes a wife (Alicia Vikander). Now all they need is a baby and they’ll have a real population boom on their hands.
But wait. The babies aren’t coming so easily for this young couple. In fact, the only baby that comes is one that washes ashore, screaming in her dead father’s arms. It’s the lighthouse keeper’s duty to report orphaned baby to the mainland, no matter how much his distraught, infertile, grieving wife may want to keep her. Right?
The Light Between Oceans is beautifully shot by DP Adam Arkapaw; you’ll be sick of the postcard-perfect scenery by the end of the movie. We get it, it’s gorgeous. Fassbender and Vikander fit right in (once she shaves off his mustache anyway), pantomiming love so well they actually fell in love themselves, and are a couple to this day. They’re committed in their roles and aren’t to be blamed when this film ultimately falters.
What makes it stumble? The pace may be a deterrent. While I was okay with the unhurried 
pace, I worried that Sean was bored. Or asleep. He assured me he was neither, and I nearly believe him. Second, and hugely, is the contrived plot which forces the characters to behave rather stupidly. As much as you want to like them, and have liked them, you will grow frustrated. And emotional: director Derek Cianfrance is adamant that you cry. He will not be satisfied, or leave well enough alone, until you do.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
I’ve seen the commercials for this, and I was intrigued. I’d never get my Hubby to go, so this may be a girlfriends not out:)
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This is definitely my cup of tea!😊
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Just reading about this movie makes me want to harm myself.
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I loved the book and think I’ll stick with that.
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Nope, not for me with the crying and the snivelling. Plus it’s got a BABY in it! Eek!
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My review of this is in my draft folder. I actually didn’t mind the melodrama so much as I was watching it, but I’m less keen on it the more I think about it.
P.S. Jay/Sean, since you guys are going to TIFF, are you planning on seeing Free Fire? I’ll be living vicariously through you if you do!
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We aren’t seeing that one unfortunately. I wasn’t sure if I could handle it!!!
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Yeah I heard it’s hyper violent! But I’ll still brace myself to rent it for my darling Sam Riley!! #whatwedoforlove 😛
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And I actually have an idea what this movie is about now. I couldn’t figure it out at all from the preview I saw.
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Yeah, I couldn’t help but think this movie was pretty heavy-handed and this is pretty spot on for me too: “you’ll be sick of the postcard-perfect scenery by the end of the movie. We get it, it’s gorgeous.”
How I ended up actually liking it? I don’t . . um, know.
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I have an issue with the plot point of the baby being washed ashore. I read about this movie in Entertainment Weekly, and I couldn’t get past that. Not sure why. I’m sure it won’t be a deal breaker for anyone but me.
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Interesting film and I do want to see it and see if I would agree with you or not.
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Ok. I still wanna see it. I keep getting this mixed up with The Lightkeepers, though…
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It looks okay, although I’m not very fond of being manipulated into crying. It’s probably something I’ll end up watching on DVD with my wife, I think.
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We’ll see if I tear up during this one. Normally, I’m not one to cry during movies … although I must admit, “Vegas Vacation,” made me weep inconsolably. Like, the entire time.
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