The Light Between Oceans
| 2016Directed by: Derek Cianfrance
Main Plot
The Light Between Oceans follows a couple, Tom and Isabel, who live on a remote Australian island in the aftermath of World War I. Tom, a lighthouse keeper, and Isabel, his devoted wife, struggle with the heartache of losing their children to miscarriage. One day, they discover a boat washed ashore with a dead man and a crying baby inside. Overcome with emotion, Isabel convinces Tom to keep the baby, whom they name Lucy, and raise her as their own. As Lucy grows, the couple faces moral dilemmas and the consequences of their decision when they learn about the child's true identity and the grief of her biological mother. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of right and wrong, ultimately testing the bonds of family and the choices that shape their lives.
Characters
- Michael Fassbender plays Tom Sherbourne, a lighthouse keeper who, with his wife, discovers a baby adrift and faces moral dilemmas about their actions.
- Alicia Vikander plays Isabel Graysmark, a grieving wife who convinces her husband to keep a found baby, leading to moral dilemmas and emotional turmoil.
- Rachel Weisz plays Hannah Roennfeldt, a grieving mother whose daughter was lost at sea, central to the emotional conflict and moral dilemmas faced by the main characters.
Ending Explained
In the ending of The Light Between Oceans, the story reaches a poignant resolution as the central conflict surrounding the couple's decision to raise a child not their own comes to a head. After years of secrecy and emotional turmoil, Isabel and Tom face the consequences of their actions when the biological mother, Hannah, re-enters their lives. The revelation of the child's true parentage forces Tom and Isabel to confront the moral implications of their choices. As the narrative unfolds, Tom ultimately decides to do the right thing by returning the child, Lucy, to Hannah. This act of redemption highlights Tom's internal struggle and his desire to rectify the past, despite the pain it causes Isabel. The emotional weight of the decision underscores the themes of love, loss, and sacrifice that permeate the film. In the final scenes, Isabel is left heartbroken but begins to find solace in the knowledge that Lucy will be with her biological mother. The film concludes with a sense of bittersweet resolution, illustrating the complexities of love and the sacrifices made for the sake of others. This ending encapsulates the overarching narrative of moral dilemmas and the enduring impact of choices on human lives.