Cloud Atlas Review

Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in one of their many roles in Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

A+

 A review by Frederick Cholowski

Life, the universe, and everything; these are amongst the many philosophical mainstays covered by the Wachowski siblings and Tom Tykwer in the epic Cloud Atlas. Running at almost three hours and attempting to tell six separate, yet connected stories within said span of time Cloud Atlas is one of the most ambitious films of the last few decades. Fortunately Cloud Atlas also manages to be a fantastic film that had a divine effect on my mood coming after watching it. Cloud Atlas is a brilliant epic film and amongst the most amazing achievements in film in the last decade.

There is no point at attempting to explain the plot of Cloud Atlas because this review would end up going on forever. All that needs to be said is that Cloud Atlas spans six completely different story lines that span numerous centuries. The veteran cast of actors including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, and Jim Sturgess (more on them in a second) each play a role in each different story line thus connecting each story. Each story also seems to be a philosophical statement of some sort, whether it being the traditional allegory of the cave to different comments on sacrifice, religion and parallel lives. The overarching theme of the entire film is that we, as human beings are all interconnected and actions in our many “lives” have numerous consequences that can either open or shut doors.

Cloud Atlas is a very polarizing film. In other words you’re going to love this film or hate its guts. The camp I fall into (as evidenced throughout this review) is the side that fell in love with this film. The scope and scale of what’s being attempted in this film is absolutely fascinating, and around 99% of the time the film works elegantly. Each story line is connected in almost every way and each are transitioned to and from with a simple elegance. There are points in the film in which storylines bleed into each other, with a natural fluidity. The transitions between stories are so masterfully handled and none are ever jarring or jagged. For a film like this that is an amazing achievement.

Running at just under three hours (2hours and 52minutes) Cloud Atlas is by no means a short film. That being said the film also never outstays its welcome as each storyline is allowed enough time to breath, develop and wrap up in ways that are stunning and emotionally satisfying. Cloud Atlas is probably the most ambitious film in a long time (even more so than the Tree of Life) and for what the film attempts to do Cloud Atlas is a massive success.

Cloud Atlas also isn’t a subtle film. Whenever an allusion is needed it is loud and clear as to what it is. The main theme of interconnectedness is made clear throughout the film. The Wachowski siblings have never been subtle (cue the Matrix) and it works well enough here. It still takes some effort, and perhaps a few more viewings, to catch most of the illusions that the film has to offer so in that since it works well. The constant theme reminders often help when the storylines are a little far away from one another and a reminder is needed.

The acting here is a joy to watch. The large cast of veterans who play multiple roles throughout the film are magnificent throughout. There is no real stand out from the group as the films acting job seems mostly like a collective affair. There have been complaints about the makeup and making white actors play different ethnicities (namely Asian  American) and how that potentially bogs down the film. While the different ethnicity make up is fairly obvious it’s also not racist in or distracting in any way shape or form. The film would not work if the filmmakers had used different actors to fill all of their roles, as the whole point of the movie is having interconnecting stories with interconnecting people. Instead it just seems like running with the initial idea and potentially taking some flak for it later on. In this day and age of safe formulaic films this choice is admirable.

Visually the film is jaw dropping the whole way through. Each story has its own distinctive visual flair that helps accentuate the similarities and differences of each storyline. The film just looks stunning any way you can put it and the large budget that helped make this movie definitely shows. The score helps pull everything together providing a few different interludes and playing them with different instrumental voices throughout the film. It’s a beautiful score and the main theme of the score is subtle and haunting.

Cloud Atlas is the single most ambitious film I have seen in a long time. The film stuns as it succeed on practically everything it does (and it does a lot) with a grace and elegance that is rarely seen in today’s films. It’s also the film that changed my mood after I watched it and brought many genuine “wow” moments. One of the best additions to this year’s growing list of A+ level films this year, Cloud Atlas is a true stunner.