When the Light Comes (Licht )(Die Stunde des Lichts) (1997)

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A mismatched couple find themselves trying to work out their many differences with a four-month winter blackout looming before them in the romantic comedy-drama When the Light Comes. Ellen (Francesca Vanthielen) is a college student looking for an unusual summer job and seems to have found one when… More A mismatched couple find themselves trying to work out their many differences with a four-month winter blackout looming before them in the romantic comedy-drama When the Light Comes. Ellen (Francesca Vanthielen) is a college student looking for an unusual summer job and seems to have found one when she gets work on a ship sailing into the Arctic Circle, where she starts to get friendly with a handsome sailor named Robbert (Rick Engelkes). However, during a quick stop to pick up supplies, Ellen impulsively jumps ship to find out what the life of an arctic trapper is like, and soon finds herself hooked up with Lars (Joachim Krol). Lars doesn't really know what to say to Ellen, and, even if he did, they wouldn't understand each other anyway -- she speaks English and he Norwegian. He also has a hard time keeping his hands to himself -- no great surprise, since for the last several months his only companions have been a pack of sled dogs. In time, Lars learns enough English to be able to communicate with Ellen, and her youthful spunk starts to mesh with his man-of-the-land personality. But will Ellen give Lars what he's so obviously interested in, or does she still have Robbert on the brain? ~ Mark Deming, Rovi