Derek Ciafrance's The Light Between Oceans is a stirring cocktail of human emotion, a film which manages to capture how our emotions are the defining aspect of what makes us human, while also showcasing the inherent flaws which exist in this essential aspect of humanity. While I haven't seen a love story this intoxicating in quite some time, what really struck me about The LIght Between Oceans is how remarkable of an example the film is when it comes to the importance of characterization. The Light Between Oceans takes place off the coast of Western Australia, following Tom Sherbourne, a World War I veteran who has just accepted a job as a lighthouse keeper. A profession of solitude which places a man in complete isolation for multiple months at a time, a lighthouse keeper isn't exactly a desirable job, but for Tom he welcomes the solitude after witnessing so much death and destruction. When Tom meets Isabel, Tom's perspective begins to slowly change, as this young woman brings hope and love to Tom's life, concepts in which he long forgotten, reinvigorating him, giving him a sense of purpose anew. Their love is kinetic, intoxicating, and genuinely felt, as The Light Between Oceans contrasts Isabel's innocence, passion, and exuberance for life with Tom's stoic nature, as Isabel's character early on serves primarily a window into the inner emotions of this man who has so long suppressed his emotions, nearly numb from the amount of pain and death he has experienced. Some will likely say that the love and connection between Tom and Isabel is rushed but I'd argue that has more to do with the scope of this sweeping story, as none of the emotions ever feel underdeveloped, only genuine, due primarily to the film's strong characterizations and stunning performances. In a sense, The Light Between Oceans is a remarkable example of how intricately designed characterizations can triumph over the shortcomings of a screenplay, as the film does suffer from some didactic moments and an overall storyline that could have easily felt overwrought and emotionally manipulative. I'm intentionally remaining illusive when it comes to actual plot details, but I'd definitely argue that the narrative itself shouldn't feel organic due to its grandoise scale that would make most cheesy romance novels blush, yet the truths which the film underlines remain geniune, touching, and essential to defining love and life. Through two lead performances and skilled direction by Derek Ciafrance, The Light Between Oceans' flaws did very little to sway me from my attachment and dedication to these characters, as I found this film to be one of the more emotionally exhausting experiences I've seen in awhile. The Light Between Oceans defines love in a more tangible way than most, documenting the dedication, sacrifice, and tenderness associated with love in a very honest and powerful way, These two characters slowly merge together throughout the film, with the trials and tribulations, no matter how extreme, only strengthening their resolve for one and other in the end. Perhaps why the film works so well for me is due to the fact that it wisely never pretends that the events which unfold are easy or have easy solutions, embracing the concept that love and emotion are almost always messy, while exhibiting why forgiveness is always of paramount importance in humanity. Intentionally or not, The Light Between The Oceans reveals the inherent selfishness of humanity, exposing how emotions are often rooted in some primal form of personal preservation. It's a film which essentially showcases how acceptance and acknowledgement of emotions not being rooted in logic can be vital when it comes to forgiveness, with all three principle characters in this story being individuals the audience has a sense of empathy for. While the characterization and astonishing performance by Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz all play a major role, it's Derek Ciafrance's direction that elevates this film tremendously, showcasing a visual eye and an acumen for telling a story through visuals. The opening scene of the film is a great example of this, in which Tom takes part in the job interview for the the lighthouse caretaker position which he will soon get. While Tom interacts with the interviewee, the camera never lingers from Tom's stoic, cold-eyed stare, never telling the viewer about his past experiences but showing the sadness between the eyes of a man who appears to be broken. While Ciafrance's abundance of wide compositions in Light Between The Oceans may border on overuse, they serve a purpose, as the filmmaker juxtaposes them with intimate close-ups and tight frames, a visual tool that visual expresses Tom's, and eventually Isabel's internal struggle, with that of their shared love and tenderness which they have for each other. Is the film optimistic about love, of course it is, but the joy of life is beautifully contrasted with the colness of the world through Cianfance's visual storytelling. While the dark, vast, formless nature of the ocean is a symbolic representation of the sadness and coldness that does exist in the world, the sun's brightness and warmth represents the importance of love and companionship, with Derek Ciafrance crafting a film that has a visual rhythm all to itself, perfectly complimenting the large-in-scope storyline. The first act of Derek Ciafrance's Light Between Oceans is damn near flawless, and while the back-half does at times teeter close to the edge of over-sentimentality, strong characterizations, powerful performances, and detailed direction make it a film that left me emotionally drained and desperate to experience the version of love it expresses.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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