It took me one day to review “Cloud Atlas”. Not because I was thinking about what to write in the review, but I was thinking over and over about the complicated narrative of a simple emotion’s untold side. Unique and complex representations of basic human emotions such as love, hatred, care etc. To digest the concept to its full depth you might need a lot of thinking.
The plot cannot be described in a paragraph as it is a complex narrative of a simple feeling. Through the interconnected 6 different stories, the makers are trying to convey the concept that our lives is not our own. It has a control over what we have done in the previous birth and the acts we do in each life plays a key role in deciding our faith in the present life. Beginning from 1850’s and ending in an imaginary apocalyptic future, Cloud Atlas is one ambitious movie that will make you wear your thinking caps for its truly original content.
Even though it is a unique and cool concept, I believe the efforts to make it a compact three hour movie has made it a bit disappointing one. The screenplay that lags a lot at places as it goes through the emotions of characters of various times. The direction of Tom Tykwer and the Watchowski’s is easily distinguishable for their signature style. Cinematography and VFX are excellent. The makeup section could have asked for some help from the VFX department.
Performance wise, the elaborate cast did all the justice to their characters. Tom Hanks excels in his Avatars ranging from a feared Zachry to a rude Dermot Hoggins. Halle Berry also adapted to various shades smoothly. Ben Whishaw gets a similar character from his Perfume director Tykwer. Bae Doona as Sonmi-451 was also engaging. Hugo Weaving is again offered the multiple antagonists’ role from Watchowskis and he has done it with complete sincerity. Rest of the cast is also impressive.
On the whole I believe Cloud Atlas is one movie that Flawed in Making and scored in writing. The characters will play in your mind for a long time for sure and you will surely come up with your interpretation on the content. I am giving 3.5/5 for this movie. One thing I can assure you is that it will surely make many of your unused brain cells do their business.
Green: Recommended Content
Orange: The In-Between Ones
Red: Not Recommended
