The Light Between Oceans

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2:25

The Light Between Oceans

PG-13

2016

2h 13m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

236 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Tom is a World War I veteran who maintains a lighthouse off the shore of Australia with his wife Isabel, a woman desperate to have a baby. Her prayers are answered when an infant washes up on shore in a rowboat. Tom thinks they should notify the authorities but ultimately gives in to Isabel's wish to keep the girl. Fate strikes again when the couple meet the child's biological mother on the mainland. Now, Tom and Isabel must make a decision that will forever affect the lives of four people.

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Critics Consensus

The Light Between Oceans presents a well-acted and handsomely mounted adaptation of its bestselling source material, but ultimately tugs on the heartstrings too often to be effective.

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Kristen Lopez

Culturess

11/20/2017

With strong acting as its anchor, breathtaking cinematography accompanies this tale guaranteed to tug on those heartstrings.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

03/21/2017

B+

From lesser actors, the story would have definitely become the worst Nicholas Sparks film adaptation ever. But they make you feel for them, even when they're making poor life decisions that you know will end miserably.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

11/06/2016

2/5

Instead of tear-jerking, this approach eventually sees the audience dry-eyed with irritation.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 20

5/5

In the medium of film, the clinchers that aid in the ability to embrace and appreciate a melodrama are its tone and the acting performances. “The Light Between Oceans” flourishes to accomplish both benchmarks.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

04/11/2022

3/4

Cianfrance's entire film feels like an open wound that would heal if only the characters could stop and behave rationally, but rationality has no place in a melodrama.

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

08/26/2021

A story like The Light Between Oceans, used age-appropriately, of course, could provide parents and teachers with a powerful opportunity to talk about how making good decisions isn't always easy...

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Feb 18

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Dan F

@Dan_Frazier Jan 3

The subject matter tugs strongly at the heart-strings -- maybe a little too incessantly. Much of the movie is painful, almost difficult to watch. It starts out with a promising love story, but this part seems rushed, and a little contrived -- hard to believe. Once the story finds its footing, it is much less of a love story and more of a drama, or a tear-jerker. Maybe the weakest part of the movie is the effort to age one of the main characters 30 years for the final scenes -- or the lack of effort to age. Or maybe the movie was made by people who never heard of make-up. Of course, make-up done badly for aging can be more of a distraction than a help. Overall, a difficult movie emotionally, with a not very happy ending. Hard to fully endorse, The acting is good, and the production is reasonable, if a little low budget. Good message. And Alicia Vikander is lovely, as usual.

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Jim H

@RT24238400 Jun 20

I struggled to suspend my disbelief in the premise, but the acting, cinematography, and music score were sublime, making the film a fine experience.

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ALL- C

@RT35432431 Jun 1

This movie isn’t getting enough love here. A simple yet harrowing tale that is refreshingly original and authentic. The actors come across as passionate and all the accompanies the somber shoots is a calm and tranquil underscore. It’s a brilliant movie.

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Steven G

@RT44882243 12/15/2024

This damn movie ripped the heart out of me. In a good way. I guess. Excellent! 4.5 stars.

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LacosteTK N

@LacosteTK 09/11/2024

Like Anime Movies Before It. It's Emotional, Driven By The Most Talented Actors Of Our Time, They Should've Won Ascars For This, I Cried Like a Baby When This Movie Ended, The Cinematography Is Perfection, The Music, And Everything In Between Is Done Perfectly. I Will Recommend This Movie For Generations To Come. 100/100

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Derek Cianfrance

Director

Michael Fassbender

Tom Sherbourne

Alicia Vikander

Isabel Graysmark

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Hannah Roennfeldt

Bryan Brown

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The Light Between Oceans: Trailer 1

2:25

The Light Between Oceans: International Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Tom is a World War I veteran who maintains a lighthouse off the shore of Australia with his wife Isabel, a woman desperate to have a baby. Her prayers are answered when an infant washes up on shore in a rowboat. Tom thinks they should notify the authorities but ultimately gives in to Isabel's wish to keep the girl. Fate strikes again when the couple meet the child's biological mother on the mainland. Now, Tom and Isabel must make a decision that will forever affect the lives of four people.

Director: Derek Cianfrance
Producer: David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford
Screenwriter: Derek Cianfrance
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Heyday Films, Participant Media
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 2, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 24, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.5M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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