Big Screen: The Light Between Oceans

Image from Little White Lies.

I loved the book by M. L. Stedman [our book group read it] and the movie. It pivots on the premise of motherhood yearned for, motherhood robbed, and the high-power wattage of a strong love between husband and wife. 10 bright lights:

1. Lighthouse living, starting in 1918. I adore stories and books about lighthouse keepers. I also climbed the very tall light on Tybee Island, Georgia last spring on a press trip and walked slowly and carefully through the keeper's house there, looking for insights into that hard-working past. We have dragged H.'s Maine brother, John, to many lighthouses in the Pine Tree State. And Cape Cod lighthouses rule.
2. The chemistry between Tom [ruggedly handsome Michael Fassbender] and his young bride, Isabel, played by Alicia Vikander. He is good-looking and heroic; she is lovely and playful.
3. Her clothing! Lacy wraps the color of light coffee cream, snow-white camisoles, skirts and shawls and sweaters and booties, in softly washed gray, ecru or milk tones. I want to start dressing that way--at least with one item! She also wears her brunette hair beautifully, with sweet white wildflowers woven in. So feminine.
4. The sea coast! The waves, the water, the cliffs, the desolate, romantic, rocky island that somehow allows chickens to thrive and sea grass to sway.
5. The crisp, pretty laundry blowing on the clothesline.
6. The simple keeper's house furnishings, the cozy kitchen sink by a window. I would like doing dishes there.
7. A chilling, heartbreaking tale. If you have battled with infertility and dashed hopes when your period comes, as I have, you will relate all too well to Isabel.
8. Rachel Weisz's portrayal of a mourning, broken-hearted mother. You feel her pain even as she pads barefoot over the creaky floor. You see her cautious love in showing a young girl how to make a daisy chain.
9. The salty old boater who advises Tom.
10. The adorable baby [so delicious, anyone would want to steal her] and little girl.

Two things I missed from the book: I think they made love in the lighthouse [no one else was around!] and an important line of dialogue from the very end of the story is not in the film.

My daughter Figgy, 21, found the movie very depressing [yet I think riveting] but I soaked up every second, like a thirsty sea sponge. Good night.