The Light Between Oceans (12)

Melodrama is the name of the game in this adaptation of M.L. Stedman’s novel.

Real-life couple Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander bring the romance but their characters are soon faced with an agonising dilemma.

The film works best when the lead duo’s chemistry sparkles and the tone is lighter.

Rachel Weisz impresses in support too, but the twists and turns of the latter stages feel ever more unreal – and unbefitting of the characters of the main players.

After previous critical slam dunks The Place Beyond the Pines and Blue Valentine, we’ve come to expect better from writer-director Derek Cianfrance.