The Light Between Oceans - Movie Review

I was invited to a free advanced screening of the movie The Light Between Oceans c/o The Owens Group. No compensation was received and I was not obligated to write a positive review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

The Light Between Oceans is a new movie based on the best-selling novel by M.L. Stedman. The cast includes Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz.

After returning from war, Tom takes on the lonely job of lighthouse keeper. He soon meets Isabel who opens his heart to the idea of love. They marry and begin a happy life together on the secluded, uninhabited island of Janus, where Tom continues to work the lighthouse.

One day, a mysterious boat comes to shore. Inside the boat, Tom and Isabel discover an infant, alive and well. With no idea who the baby belongs to or how she came to be in a boat in the middle of the ocean, Tom and Isabel decide to bring the baby up as their own. Later, revelations come to light about the identity of the child and Tom and Isabel must make some very difficult decisions.

First, let me say that I recently read this novel and loved it. I can also say that I enjoyed the movie as much as the book. The love that develops between Tom and Isabel is very deep and I thought it was portrayed so well by Fassbender and Vikander. Vikander is exceptional - so much emotion and very convincing as Isabel. I could see her winning awards for this role. Tom is somewhat hardened and broken from the war, but Isabel is able to reach him and show that it's possible to have a life of happiness and passion.

The story takes place in Western Australia and spans over many years. As viewers, we get to see how the consequences of their decision to raise the baby as their own play out and how it affects many people. The movie goes along kind of slowly and quietly, but nonetheless, does a beautiful job of telling this moving and heartbreaking tale.

The Light Between Oceans opens in theaters today, September 2nd.
It is rated PG-13

Check out the trailer and let me know what you think. Have you read the book? Will you be seeing the movie?