Film review: The Light Between Oceans

Ellen Tout reviews this moving screen adaptation of ML Stedman’s novel, directed by Derek Cianfrance

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Film review: The Light Between Oceans

Set on a remote edge of Western Australia after the Great War, this is a tragically beautiful tale of love and impossible choices, inspired by ML Stedman’s novel.

A shell-shocked veteran, Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender), works alone as a lighthouse keeper on a desolate rock until he is unexpectedly drawn towards the light and promise of hope offered by a young woman, Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander), from the nearest town.

The pair’s love grows and they soon marry.

The newlyweds’ attempts to start a family are unsuccessful, then one evening a mysterious boat carrying a baby drifts ashore, setting off a chain of decisions that unravel with crushing consequences. 

Watch the trailer for The Light Between Oceans below: