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The Light Between Oceans
DreamWorks Pictures DreamWorks Pictures
Heyday Films Heyday Films
Participant Participant
Reliance Entertainment Reliance Entertainment

Not part of a collection.

The Light Between Oceans

Love demands everything

2016 133 min ★ 7.1 (1,443) Released
Drama Romance

A lighthouse keeper and his wife living off the coast of Western Australia raise a baby they rescue from an adrift rowboat.

Original title
The Light Between Oceans
Language
EN
Country
US,GB
Budget
$20,000,000
Revenue
$25,975,621
Reviews & Ratings 1
Reno

Reno

Mar 26, 2017 · via TMDB

★ 8.0

**A tale of imbalance between love and grief.** The film was based on the Australian novel of the same name. It was a recent book, but a period drama about a World War I veteran who just returned home. So I feel this film was made too soon. Because it seems so classic, only if we had given some time to pick up its popularity. I mean the literature version which at least needed a decade of freedom before heading to the big screen. You know, this same kind of tales from the past is what now we consider epic, which looks even better in the cinema. Anyway, this film was good, but the future adaptations will be much more effective for its viewers. From the director of 'The Place Beyond the Pines' who also wrote for the screen. The title gives a brief insight of what kind of a tale it is. But the film was even deeper and darker with emotionally strong. The island where it takes place reminded me 'Song of the Sea', though it is not a fantasy film. If you love views, nature, particularly seaside, this film will suit you. Besides, the story was much stronger, so the backgrounds will fade away when all your focus fall on its narration. For me the location was the first in the film, the hundred year old setting, away from normal society was the most impressive. It helped to narrate this wonderful drama which contained the message of moral imbalance. Tom Sherbourne, a World War I hero who relieved from the duty returns home and becomes a lighthouse keeper in an isolated island on the west coast of Australia. He marries a woman whom he has instantly fallen in love. Now they are living far from the human world. A couple of tragedy strikes in their life following one another. Before coming out of that trauma, they find a baby on a lifeboat that washed up on their island and decides to adopt her. But after some times when they return to the mainland, they come to realise what they're doing is not legally nor morally correct. From onwards how it affects their each others trust, how far it all goes and how the story ends was told in the remaining parts. > ❝You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, every day.❞ Despite the book was modern, the storytelling was so vintage. I'm talking about the way the plot and characters developed, including how it concludes. For the present generation, if you are familiar with a few similar works from the past, then you would predict this film. I mean not the entire film, but some scenes are at its initial stage can be foreseen. Because sometimes, some developments are called coincidence, but when you have plenty of them, that is called very intentional. That was the only negative of this film. By avoiding them the tale would not be possible. In other way, it could have had stretched even further which are unnecessary details. I did not care the clichés. For me it was a fine drama. The performances were magnificent. It looked to me an Oscar worthy, from both Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander. Even Rachel Weisz was for the supporting role. So tick marks for cast and locations, also the screenplay and score. But the sad part is the film was not received very well, especially by the jackass film critics. It's not the same case with regular movie goers, particular I think the older and matured people would like it better. But it's not another 'Pride and Prejudice' from the family audience perspective. The events of the film and the outcome can be wrongly judged. Most importantly, it sets in the same world as ours, so everything is the near fact based. So the right and wrongs are inside the film, but not applicable for the filmmaking which I think a well done job. The post climax scene, the one that comes before the end credit was very good. For this kind of tale, that kind of outro sets a final tone. Despite not an inspiring storyline, all the portrayal in the film was so poetic. Mainly because of slow narration with high influence of sentiments and most of the occasions being dialogueless. The length was not an issue if you like period dramas. Anyway, it was engaging theme, there's always something keeps happening. So I think this is one of the under-rated films of the year. It deserves much better recognition. If you haven't watched it yet, I recommend it and highly if you are 30+. _8/10_

User reviews courtesy of TMDB.

Keywords 9
1920s australia based on novel or book lighthouse lighthouse keeper lost child marriage miscarriage western australia
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Cast 23
Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender

Tom Sherbourne

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander

Isabel Sherbourne

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz

Hannah Roennfeldt

Bryan Brown

Bryan Brown

Septimus Potts

Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson

Ralph Addicott

Caren Pistorius

Caren Pistorius

Adult Lucy-Grace

Anthony Hayes

Anthony Hayes

Sergeant Vernon Knuckey

Emily Barclay

Emily Barclay

Gwen Potts

Leon Ford

Leon Ford

Frank Roennfeldt

Benedict Hardie

Benedict Hardie

Constable Harry Garstone

Scott Wills

Scott Wills

McGowan (uncredited)

Jane Menelaus

Jane Menelaus

Violet Graysmark

Garry McDonald

Garry McDonald

Bill Graysmark

Stephen Ure

Stephen Ure

Neville Whittnish

Peter McCauley

Peter McCauley

Sergeant Spragg

Gerald Bryan

Gerald Bryan

Captain Percy Hasluck

Elizabeth Hawthorne

Elizabeth Hawthorne

Mrs. Hasluck

Peter Hayden

Peter Hayden

Dr. Sumpton

Carmel McGlone

Carmel McGlone

Bertha Chipper

Jeffrey Thomas

Jeffrey Thomas

Cyril Chipper

John Bach

John Bach

Mayor Jock Johnson

Marshall Napier

Marshall Napier

Mr. Coughlan

Thomas Unger

Thomas Unger

Bluey Smart

Crew 30
Karen Murphy

Karen Murphy

Production Design

Adam Arkapaw

Adam Arkapaw

Director of Photography

Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Second Unit Director of Photography

Elizabeth McCarthy

Elizabeth McCarthy

Makeup Artist

Michael Fontaine

Michael Fontaine

Makeup Artist

Mike Marino

Mike Marino

Makeup Designer

Victoria Mielewska

Victoria Mielewska

Dialect Coach

Marie Uridia

Marie Uridia

Post Production Assistant

Michael M. Foster

Michael M. Foster

Stunts

Brian McNeill

Brian McNeill

Thanks

Derek Cianfrance

Derek Cianfrance

Director

Mariela Comitini

Mariela Comitini

First Assistant Director

Francine Maisler

Francine Maisler

Casting

Nikki Barrett

Nikki Barrett

Casting

Jeffrey Clifford

Jeffrey Clifford

Executive Producer

Jonathan King

Jonathan King

Executive Producer

Rosie Alison

Rosie Alison

Executive Producer

Jared Connon

Jared Connon

Location Manager

David Heyman

David Heyman

Producer

Jeffrey Clifford

Jeffrey Clifford

Producer

Desray Armstrong

Desray Armstrong

Production Coordinator

Steve Giammaria

Steve Giammaria

ADR Editor

Steve Giammaria

Steve Giammaria

Dialogue Editor

Joanna Fang

Joanna Fang

Foley Artist

Leslie Bloome

Leslie Bloome

Foley Artist

Ryan Price

Ryan Price

Foley Editor

Alexandre Desplat

Alexandre Desplat

Original Music Composer

Jacob Ribicoff

Jacob Ribicoff

Sound Designer

Derek Cianfrance

Derek Cianfrance

Screenplay

Derek Cianfrance

Derek Cianfrance

Writer

Gallery 118
Videos 2
Similar Movies 130
US Release Dates 1

Sep 2, 2016

PG-13 Theatrical

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The Brother

The Brother

2017

VS
80 Day Obsession: Day 75 AAA (Phase 1)

80 Day Obsession: Day 75 AAA (Phase 1)

2018

Sign in to vote

Battle your watched movies head-to-head

Community Top Movies

🥇 Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II

1987 · 14 wins

🥈 The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

2008 · 14 wins

🥉 Halloween

Halloween

1978 · 13 wins

#4 Final Destination

Final Destination

2000 · 12 wins

#5 Halloween II

Halloween II

1981 · 11 wins

Sign in to build your own ranking
0 Points
0/0 Correct
0 Streak

Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.

Movie Trivia

Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.

What movie experience do you prefer?

Movie theater — theater popcorn with Icee/soda & maybe nachos 67%
At home — relaxed on your favorite couch or chair with whatever drinks & snacks are in the kitchen 33%
3 votes

What is your favorite movie genre?

Action 50%
Adventure 0%
Animation 0%
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