Cloud Atlas

Adapted from the best-selling novel by David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas is a poignant, sprawling piece of cinema. Showcasing Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in its start-spattered cast, the film follows multiple narrative trajectories across time – from the 1840s to the 22^nd century.

The Wachowskis (The Matrix Trilogy) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) deserve recognition as directors who adapted the seemingly impossible to adapt book to movie form, when Hollywood seemed to have given up hope. Whereas the book begins telling each story separately, the film splices them into parallel narratives, inter-editing each tale together in a jumpy, chaotic mash-up which actually seems to work.

Cloud Atlas has been criticised for its frenetic editing between the stories. Admittedly it takes time to get used to this flitting, sporadic storytelling, but – with an open mind - it’s not difficult to follow. In fact, this innovative form alone is striking. At its Lord of the Rings length of almost three hours, you have to be willing to dedicate yourself to the story. The film demands a re-watch to fully appreciate its complexities. But the pay-off is terrific, both emotionally, philosophically and on an entertainment basis.

From Jim broadbent’s character’s comedic Mission-Impossible-esque escape from an old folks’ home to a clone fighting an evil regime in a nightmarish future Korea, there are plentiful laughs and thrills here. But the story will not only get you hooked with its originality, intrigue and action - it will make you think. The narrative explores how a person’s lifetime is affected by those who lived before, and the causality and momentum one life can have on those in the future. Each story is connected by themes of oppression, revolution and liberation.

There is also a recurring idea of reincarnation. Many actors play multiple characters – most interestingly (and difficult to spot) perhaps is Halle Berry’s portrayal of a Korean man – and this is suggestive of the same soul passing through different lives, improving, loving, losing, and seeking meaning.

 Cloud Atlas is high concept cinema which deserves patience and commitment. A thought provoking, beautiful film, I cannot implore you to watch this enough.