The Light Between Oceans isn’t half bad as heart-tugging rom-dramas go and it is better written and acted compared to your typical Nicolas Sparks schlock, but at the same time, despite a talented cast and some great scenes, I didn’t find this nearly as emotional and I can’t see much replay value.
The Light Between Oceans
(2016)
Genre(s): Drama, Romance
Buena Vista | PG13 – 133 min. – $39.99 | January 24, 2017
Date Published: 01/31/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.5/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: 1918, following the end of World War I, lighthouse keeper Tom Sherbourne (MICHAEL FASSBENDER) and radiant, spirited Isabel (ALICIA VIKANDER) live together in married bliss on a remote, rugged island off the coast of a small Australian village. But their windswept world is turned upside down when Isabel learns, following two miscarriages, she is unable to bear a child. One day, a drifting lifeboat washes ashore with a crying baby in it, alongside her deceased father. The dilemma the couple now faces will echo far beyond the island, engulfing and irrevocably impacting their world.
Years later, now raising the child, named Lucy, as their own, Tom stumbles upon Lucy’s maternal mother, Hannah (RACHEL WEISZ), daughter of an influential businessman (BRYAN BROWN), and discovers the circumstances how they received the child: Hannah’s husband was of German descent and attempting to escape a mob, gets on a rowboat and is swept to sea. But now Tom, filled with guilt, faces a decision on what to do after seeing this still grieving wife and mother. Quick Hit Review: The Light Between Oceans is another tug-at-the-heart romance-drama that is in similar fashion of a Nicolas Sparks, just better written and features better talent. Unlike a Sparks adaptation, this one, from a novel by M.L. Stedman, does have some well done moments and the acting by Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander was fantastic. The film was also well shot by director Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines), lensed by Adam Arkapaw, was utterly stunning.
The issue I had, emotionally speaking, I didn’t find it all that effective and there’s a bit of, “well isn’t that a coincidence”, aspect going on. This isn’t to say there weren’t some well done moments, outright heart-breaking, but on the whole, by film’s end, it’s not exactly a memorable film. On the plus side, it is far and away better than any Nicolas Sparks adaptations if only it isn’t nearly as clichéd and the music by Alexandre Displant is absolutely beautiful. In the end, The Light Between Oceans is a perfectly satisfying film, but for me I couldn’t find an emotional investment in spite of some great performances and beautiful cinematography. It’s probably worth a rental or, if you’re a fan of these types of films, purchasing. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.5/5 |
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This release comes with a matted slip cover. Inside is a code for the Digital HD copy. Audio Commentary – Writer/Director Derek Cianfrance and Film Studies Professor Phil Solomon offers a proper, and educational, track giving bits of information on filming locations and dramatic themes. Bringing The Light to Life (16:47; HD) is a making-of featurette taking audiences behind-the-scenes to Cape Campbell, New Zealand with the cast and crew including Fassbender, Vikander, Weisz and director Cianfrance. It’s an interesting featurette on how the director influenced the performances, even living on the beach during filming. Lighthouse Keeper (5:40; HD) – Here we learn the history of the Cape Campbell Lighthouse and what a lighthouse keeper’s life was like during those early days. |
VIDEO – 4.5/5 |
| The Light Between Oceans washes onto Blu-ray presented with a 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. Tonally this is a dark film, albeit with a positive message, so it’s not too surprising that even daylight scenes are a bit on the dark side while nighttime shots show some decent starkness. Detail does look sharp throughout and outside of some minor banding, it’s a fine looking high-def transfer. |
AUDIO – 4.5/5 |
| One would think having a DTS-HD MA 7.1 track for a tearjerker romantic drama would be overkill but there were a few instances where it was warranted, including a key sequence during a roaring storm which provided fantastic depth, making usage of every available speaker. Beyond that, the rest of the movie is either driven by dialogue or a heart-tugging score from composer Alexandre Desplat (The Imitation Game, Florence Foster Jenkins). |
OVERALL – 3.75/5 |
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Overall, The Light Between Oceans isn’t half bad as heart-tugging rom-dramas go and it is better written and acted compared to your typical Nicolas Sparks schlock, but at the same time, despite a talented cast and some great scenes, I didn’t find this nearly as emotional and I can’t see much replay value. The Blu-ray released by Buena Vista offers great video and audio transfers and a fine selection of bonus features. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.