With only a few features under his belt, Derek Cianfrance has already established himself as one of the most raw, poetic, and promising directors currently sitting in the chair, both as an improviser and careful planner. His next feature is an initially odd choice at first glance, a sweeping romance with a title that both accurately states the poeticism of the talent that is paired with the material, yet also conjures images of a Nicolas Sparks adaptation. A closer look demands the former thought as the thunderous talent on display is considered.
The Light Between Oceans stars Michael Fassbender — whose own raw genius is on full display in the first trailer — Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Wesiz. Then, there’s cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, who lensed the recent Macbeth, the entire first season of True Detective, and Snowtown. This is all topped of course by Cianfrance, who penned this adaptation from a bestselling novel himself. Then, there’s the tagline: Love demands everything. An initially cheery thought, until one considers the premise of the film: a couple find a baby who has washed up on the beach and raise it as their own, only to be torn apart when the mother comes searching for it — and the unrelenting, unfiltered emotion that Cianfrance demands of his arcs and his actors.
A new look at the film has been released via Vulture, which is essentially a truncated version of the first trailer. Still, it further demonstrates Cianfrance’s ability to balance the beautiful and the romantic with the coarse, biting reality of life. His mixture of handheld aestheticism reminiscent of Malick is coupled with static singles with gorgeous lighting and zooms that perfectly symbolize this balancing act.
See the mini-trailer below, along with a new poster.
From acclaimed director Derek Cianfrance, (BLUE VALENTINE, A PLACE BEYOND THE PINES), and based on the extraordinary best-selling novel from M.L Stedman, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, is a beautiful yet heart-breaking story of love and sacrifice.
On a remote Australian island in the years following World War I, lighthouse keeper Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender) and his wife, Isabel (Alicia Vikander), discover a boat washed ashore carrying a dead man and a two-month old baby.
Rescuing the infant, they make the decision to raise her as their own but the consequences of their choice prove to be devastating.Also starring Rachel Weisz and produced by David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford, The Light Between Oceans will be released later this year.
The Light Between Oceans sails into theaters September 2nd.