The best-selling novel that swept readers away with its transporting story of fate, love, moral dilemmas and the lengths one couple will go to see their hard-fought dreams realized, comes to the screen as a lush, classically star-crossed romance starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz written for the screen and directed by Derek Cianfrance.
We had the pleasure of seeing The Light Between Oceans before it’s official release, I assumed my other half might not enjoy a love story movie and originally had planned to take the bestie only to find out that yes – the other half wanted to see it! So.. away we went on a date night. Neither of us had read the book before seeing the film so I felt like I had a great opportunity to be pulled in to a story I hadn’t been told yet, one of love, trials and challenges and overcoming heart crippling loss.
The Light Between Oceans tells the story of a war veteran Tom Sherbourne who after returning from war decides that an isolated Light House position on the otherwise uninhabited Janus Rock is just what he needs. Initially wanting to enjoy the calm of Janus Rock alone, he unexpectedly meets Isabel Graysmark, a vivacious young woman from the town of Partageuse across the harbor, herself grieving two brothers lost in the war.
Instantly you are pulled into Tom Sherbourne’s brooding world, feeling the agony of a soldier returning from a scarring war to those families left behind. Michael Fassbender beautifully pulled us in to the quiet world of Tom and had us rooting for his love story with Isabel long before it even happened.
As with any love story, we are thrown into their lives full speed – from their whirlwind engagement, honeymoon glee and eventually grieving their losses to the inevitable life-changing decision that would haunt them until the end. Admittedly, I absolutely teared up as their story seeped into a bit of my own, the heartbreaking loss that changes a woman, that leaves her with a feeling of longing that can’t be filled. It’s all there, and it tugs so hard at your heartstrings that it’s hard to not feel their loss with them.
As with any marriage, decisions are a two-way street and as husband and wife, they make a life changing decision that alters the course of their life on Janus Rock, and inevitably changes the course of a family in mourning. While you brace for a barrage of hate, of anger and despair… instead you are pulled into even more love, love for a little-lost child, love for a momma grieving lost years and love for parents who want nothing more than to hold someone one last time.
I would love love love to spill my heart on this entire movie, that left me longing for a happy ending but I really truly feel that this is a must-see movie with no spoilers. Pack some tissues and be prepared to ask yourself if your Love demanded everything if you could make a choice that would grant the one wish of a hurting loved one… would you obey, regardless of the cost? My other half cursed me when we left the theatre for telling him this is a Love Story, well… it is, it’s a story of love, loss, heartache and making choices that can alter the course of your life, and the life of the loved ones close to you. Suffice to say, when we got home… he snuck in for a super quick hug from A, and had a moment to be grateful that she is here, with us.
As I mentioned above, I have not read the book but it is definitely on my list now. The Light Between Oceans is in theatres near you now, and we highly recommend checking it out!
{Disclosure: We were invited to a pre-screening of The Light Before Oceans through Disney Studios in exchange for our review, all opinions and sappy tears are our own.}
