Fruits of the womb
Bakang Israel | Friday September 16, 2016 16:20
This film is a 2016 romantic drama based on the 2012 novel of the same name by M. L. Stedman. The movie has moral dilemma as the main focal area of attention that has the protagonist and antagonist battling conflicting emotions. This uplifting romance turned the cinema into a sad zone with this scenario of events.
“After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabella.
“Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabella hears a baby’s cries in the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the corpse and infant immediately.
But Isabella insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgement, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabella return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them”.
The film penetrates straight to one’s soul because it has in store some high profile Hollywood actors and actresses from blockbusters such as X-Men Apocalyse, Jason Bourne and The Mummy.
Michael Fassbender, synonymous for his evil deeds in the Marvel franchise X-Men, this time around transforms into a saint entrapped with emotions, whilst Jason Bourne villain Alicia Vikander does what she knows best.
Rachel Weisz serenades fanatics with her trademark role of Quest. Unlike running away from zombies in The Mummy, this time she is running not because of fear. Derek Cianfrance, a relatively unknown director, raised the bar high with this captivating story.
Action
This drama relates to life instances in the most emphatic way. It highlights the bad deeds couples go through in the quest for happiness, especially with more emphasis on the desperation of infertile people.
The fruits of the womb is the main epitome of a union and a family tree, hence without it the union would not survive trials and tribulation associated with such union. The Light Between Oceans takes us through that as Tom and Isabella exactly portray what couples usually go through because of womb misfortunes. This misfortune ends up poisoning the soul leading to venomous desire/love.
Just like in real life, people can go the extra mile to conceive. The film also has a spark of romance in the sense that it has sexual content and has also in store a few romantic tips. Meanwhile, this drama also fascinates because of its dejected theme.
When watching this, it brings to mind other drama blockbusters such as Me Before You and Gone Girl. But The Light Between Oceans shares similar deceptions with Gone Girl with Isabella (Vikander) stealing motherhood from Hannah (Weisz). This taught the audience about being robbed of your child’s upbringing. Even not necessarily being robbed as such. I related to this story in the sense it highlighted growing up in the presence of someone else in the absence of your biological parent.
This suffocates the relationship between biological parent and child as we see Lucy/Grace loving her adopted parents more. This was a very sensitive issue which left Masa reeling. So that teaches young parents to stand firm when raising their kids. The Light Between Oceans also questions the depths of a relationship.
How far would you go to satisfy you partner? Would you disregard you principles to make them happy? The movie is very entertaining once it reaches its stride. It has interesting twists from deceptions to mystique. A distraught parent goes on a quest for blood (her DNA), which then yields fascinating anticipation. Though this is fascinating, at some point we got exhausted.
At the beginning of the film, it felt too long to sustain momentum. It bored us with less dialogue and action as it was just ambience from the sea and Isabella and Tom for 30 minutes. That was the dull moment of the film. Otherwise, the film actually sunk in with its really astounding cinematography - the coastal scenery and a mellow piano that evoked sympathy from the viewers. Lastly this film has in store some very meaningful themes like secrecy, sacrifice, family, guilt and tragedy that became the ingredients of this engaging drama as everyone can relate to it. One of the messages I can share with you is that all secrets eventually come out as is the case in our featured movie. Secrets are a virus that affects the heart, but it eventually gives in.
Quotes from the movie that shed sorrow
Isabella to Lucy: I hope life has been kind to you
Hannah to Isabella: I have realised that she loves you more, maybe is better I do right by her.
NEWSFLASH: You can catch some of these stars in these upcoming films Alicia Vikander in Tomb Raider (2017) as Lara Croft replacing Angelina Jolie. Michael Fassbender in The Snowman (2017) Harry Hole and Rachel Weisz in The Mercy (2016).
Reception
According to box office this film premiered globally at the beginning of September and peaked at eighth on the chart. It has relinquished that spot to occupy 13th this week. It generated first showing sales of $4 million before reaching a worldwide peak of $9 million. Since it is still new, it may surpass its $20 million production budget.
Top five movies in the world currently
1. Sully
2. When the Bough Breaks
3. Don’t Breathe
4. Suicide Squad
5. The Wild Life
Ratings
This movie blew me up. I expected a different tale but this tale was better. I award it a 7/10.
Movie: The Light Between Oceans
Genre: Romantic Drama
Duration: 2 hours 12 mins
Age Restriction: PG13
Release Date: September 9 2016
Director: Derek Cianfrance