Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Doona Bae, Jim Sturgess, James D'Arcy, Ben Winshaw, Keith David, Susan Sarandon, and Hugh Grant......they are the principal cast of this epic film set across the expanse of time. This stunning ensemble cast brings to life the book that captured the hearts and minds of so many people. I attempted to read the book, but never found it appealing, but the film was outstanding. It revolves around 6 stories set in different periods of time: 1800's ship on the high seas; 1930's England, 1973 San Francisco; 2012 London; futuristic Seoul; post-apocalyptic Hawaii. As random as these places seem at first, their connection becomes clearer as the film progresses. I will state now that this film is not for everybody; it is long, complex, and can become frustrating for those not able to understand it. The movie can be taken at face value, because there are enough shootouts, chases, fights, sword battles, and comedy to appease a basic entertainment quotient, but that is missing the point.
The performances are all wonderful, but Ben Winshaw really stands out for his portrayal of a man living in the 1930's, struggling to cover the fact that he is homosexual. His desire to compose wonderful music and art is hindered by the potential for his reputation to be ruined. Winshaw is haunting, and really made me feel for him. Something to note is that every actor plays different characters in different periods of time, even going past gender or race. Halle Berry is white and Jewish, Hugo Weaving is a woman in one and a demented devil/ leprechaun in another (it makes sense when you watch it), and Weaving, Keith David, and Jim Sturgess all appear as Asians. Tom Hanks shows his tree merits as an actor, because each character he plays feels fully realized. His cunning, dorky doctor in the 1800's sequence, the jerk hotel manager in the 30's, the infatuated scientist in the 70's, the hilariously over-the-top Australian author in 2012, and his complex tribesman in Hawaii. Everybody is game here, but the largest detriment to the characters is the make-up. The make-up is either a hit or miss, and unfortunately is it usually a miss. Making non-Asian characters look Asian is hard, and the effect is rather hideous. It looks silly, and distracted me. Especially when Keith David appears as an Asian, I couldn't help but laugh out-loud. This is really the only complaint I had when it came to the acting department, because it just was distracting so much of the time.
Technically, the film is a marvel as well. This is one of the most expensive independent films ever made, and it shows, The CGI used in Seoul is brilliant, and looks completely convincing. The scope is so epic, and the need for so many different period sets, costumes, and props boggles the mind. I can't believe how they pulled it off. The camera makes sure nothing is wasted. Everything is so clear and perfect, and each time period is perfectly portrayed. Steady shots emphasize perspective and detail, while never losing the big picture. Angles are sadly a bit 2D in the San Francisco story, but the rest use a variety of wonderful angles that bedazzle.
Now this is where the film gets good; it depth. Now the film clearly has a blatant Cosmic Humanist worldview, but if you look for it, you can see God's truth. A huge focus is on rippling effects of actions, and its true. What we do can influence others even hundreds of years into the future. Adam and Eve's decision still impacts us today. We can't control what happens when we do something, we can't take it back. A wonderful line is this:
" There is a natural order to this world, and those who try to upend it do not fare well. This movement will never survive, if you join them you and your entire family will be shunned. At best you will exist at pariah to be spat at and beaten, at worse to be lynched or crucified. And for what, for what, no matter what you do it will never amount to anything more than a single drop in a limitless ocean."
"What is an ocean but a multitude of drops?
The truth we see is that although we may be a little part of the world's history, our actions are as important as the rest. God knows and tells us how important we are, and how we are "a light unto the world", but if everybody says that one person can't do anything, than nobody does. History is made up of the actions of individuals, and we live our lives making choices at every turn. We are responsible to our Christian brother and sisters to make decisions that strengthen the body of Christ. "Cloud Atlas" shows us how we connect to others , and how what we do, and how we live our lives, could even inspire a revolution.
Rated R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use
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