Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas is a thought-provoking and visually stunning film that delves into the interconnectedness of human experiences across different eras and geographical locations. Based on the novel by David Mitchell, the movie is a masterpiece of non-linear storytelling, interweaving six distinct narratives that unfold like a intricate tapestry. The film begins in the 19th century, in the South Pacific, where Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw), a young music copyist, is aboard a ship called the Timothy Treadwell captained by Henry Goose (Jim Broadbent). Frobisher forms a connection with the ship's cabin boy, Rufus Sixsmith (James D'Arcy), and amidst their conversations, they reflect on their own lives and mortality, highlighting the transient nature of human existence. The duo shares a similar curiosity about the afterlife and, by extension, this perpetual pursuit of spiritual knowledge inspires their future endeavors. As the story unfolds through different timelines, we are introduced to Luisa Rey (Halle Berry), an investigative journalist in 1970s America, and Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent), a publisher on the run from his abusive brother in 1930s England. The film seamlessly transitions between these narratives, inviting the audience to recognize patterns and connections that transcend time and space. In a Japanese nursing home in the year 2144, Old Georgie (Jim Sturgess) tells his grandson, Adam, and nurse, Somaya, a story about a British sailor, Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess), who encountered a kind-hearted lawyer, Autua (David Gyasi), in the mid-19th century. The act of kindness exhibited by Autua sets in motion a chain of events that will have far-reaching consequences in the years to come. The most compelling narrative of the film revolves around the character of Adam Ewing, who is on board a ship with the enigmatic American and lawyer, Henry Stubbins (David Mitchell). As Adam grapples with his newfound awareness of the natural and moral injustices in the world, he is confronted by Autua, a Hawaiian doctor who shares with him the concept of Karma and the consequences of one's actions on others and the environment. Through a striking blend of time-travel and reincarnation, the film's writers invite us to ponder the multifaceted nature of human existence and the countless ripple effects that occur as a result of our individual actions. We see how, in one particular instance, a kind boat ride offered to Adam Ewing upon his voyage, inadvertently inspires Adam Adasi (Kai Malia as a young Adasi, Thomas Lee Hobbs as an elderly Adasi), a man who would create large scale change in the world through his post apocalyptic endeavors of instating an egalitarian society. As the timelines converge, the story draws to a close in a dystopian world in 2144, where a futuristic society exists in the aftermath of a catastrophic flood. In this bleak but beautifully envisioned world, the inhabitants live in a cramped, overcrowded city where greed, poverty, and despair reign supreme. However, with a glimmer of hope, we witness the emergence of new leaders who aim to restore order in their fractured world and rediscover the value of compassion and kindness. In a beautifully shot and gripping finale, a post-apocalyptic character named Luisa Rey's dying words finally find their fulfillment: The act of altruism by an earlier incarnation has a profound, lasting impact on the world we inhabit today. Ultimately, Cloud Atlas underscores the transformative power of human connection and encourages the audience to take a profound interest in their place within the grand adventure that unfolds across space and time. Weaving a riveting narrative across different eras, cultures, and characters, the film transcends language and borders to put a moving and profound reminder – each one of our individual actions has a profound and lasting effect on others across space and time. This epic six-story tapestry leaves viewers questioning the nature of their place in the world, imparting a simple message – while countless generations have crossed a threshold of their time, there is hope in connecting with one another – even the past, the present and a distant, hopeful future.