The Light Between Oceans Film Review - presents a very difficult dilemma
Set just after World War 1 in a remote part of Western Australia, a veteran traumatised military officer, Tom (Fassbender) takes on the role of a light house keeper at 'Janus Rock', he falls in love with Isabel (Vikander) and they get married and try to start a family. Unfortunately Isabel suffers two miscarriages. Coincidentally after a terrible storm a random row boat washes ashore with a baby and her dead father on-board. Tom pulls the boat ashore and the pair consider the future of the baby.
Tom wants to do the right thing, but Isabel who is still in grief persuades him not to report the incident. Subsequently, Tom buries the man and they raise the baby as their own.
Besides the wide open landscapes, wide open seascapes, wild weather and convincing bleak conditions the first act seems pretty dull. But the film really comes alive when the couple return to the mainland to christen the child (now 4 years old).
Fassbender accidentally comes across the baby's true grieving mother, Hannah. Tom's feeling of guilt makes him leave a note in the post box to say the child is okay. Hannah realises her daughter is still alive and this is where the film becomes interesting and exciting. Tom is arrested and is prepared to do the honourable thing by taking full blame for what happened, even if that means execution!
The ending is both happy and unhappy (I won't spoil why I think it's both)
In conclusion (once you make it through the first hour), the exceptional performances and amazing cinematography of this old-fashioned looking film certainly makes it a worthwhile watch.
7/10.
Tom wants to do the right thing, but Isabel who is still in grief persuades him not to report the incident. Subsequently, Tom buries the man and they raise the baby as their own.
Besides the wide open landscapes, wide open seascapes, wild weather and convincing bleak conditions the first act seems pretty dull. But the film really comes alive when the couple return to the mainland to christen the child (now 4 years old).
Fassbender accidentally comes across the baby's true grieving mother, Hannah. Tom's feeling of guilt makes him leave a note in the post box to say the child is okay. Hannah realises her daughter is still alive and this is where the film becomes interesting and exciting. Tom is arrested and is prepared to do the honourable thing by taking full blame for what happened, even if that means execution!
The ending is both happy and unhappy (I won't spoil why I think it's both)
In conclusion (once you make it through the first hour), the exceptional performances and amazing cinematography of this old-fashioned looking film certainly makes it a worthwhile watch.
7/10.
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