The Light Between Oceans is directed by Derek Cianfrance and based on M.L. Stedman’s novel about a couple raising the baby they rescued from a drifting rowing boat. The performances from Rachel Weisz, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are all good.

For me, The Light Between Oceans is a beautiful romance. Though definitely heartbreaking and featuring a number of morally questionable acts, the idea of the love between the lead characters as portrayed by Fassbender and Vikander is beautiful.

On account of the repercussions that resulted from the questionable acts in this movie, by the end I was well and truly reminded of the importance of properly thinking through the options we allow ourselves to be coerced into choosing. Especially when the blindness of love and an all-consuming desperation are thrown into the mix. The portrayal of this, for me, is a key highlight of this film. I also very much enjoyed Vikander’s character’s forwardness where her love life is concerned. Refreshing is one word for it.

On balance, I can’t say that I was able to enjoy The Light Between Oceans as much as I could have and that’s partly because the trailer revealed too much, which in turn contributed to the end result being quite unexciting. I suppose what I may never know is just how much more thrilling I may have found this movie had I never seen the trailer.

Watch it if you absolutely must. Just don’t misremember and think that I said ‘you absolutely should’.

Happy Film Loving,

G