CLOUD ATLAS

I read David Mitchell's source novel quite a while ago and enjoyed it immensely.

The most striking thing about the novel is its structure of six interconnected and nested stories, spanning a large time span, from the nineteenth century to the distant future.

Because of the structure it would seem to be one of those novels that is unfilmable.

This didn't stop Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis from making this 172-minute masterpiece or folly, depending on your point of view. 

They decided to move away from the Russian doll structure of the novel and instead try to tell the six stories in parallel, jumping frequently from one story to another, creating a kind of mosaic.

On paper this sounds nuts, but (maybe because I had read the novel so had some familiarity with the stories) I found myself thinking after about ten minutes that this is fine, what's the problem?

To emphasise the interconnectedness of the stories (or maybe to cut production costs), the six actors who play the six main protagonists (one per story) also appear in supporting roles in all or most of the other stories - the actors being Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess and Doona Bae.  

In addition there are other actors who also play multiple roles, notable Hugh Grant and Hugo Weaving.

Of the six stories the ones I enjoyed most were the Ben Whishaw one (set in 1936) and the Doona Bae one (set in 2144). 

The former (directed by Tykwer) has the benefit of Whishaw's voiceover and an absorbing storyline, about a young composer and his relationship with an older composer.

The latter (directed by the Wachowskis) is pure science-fiction and therefore benefits from the Wachowskis' visual flair; and the story is both sad and exciting.

All of the stories have something to offer, and the continual jumping from one to the other is often exhilarating and fun.  I'm sure some people would find it tiring and all too difficult.  But I would urge everyone to see it at least once, it's a unique viewing experience.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do