ever one to take a contrary position, and in the face of views from one or two critics…
I went to watch Cloud Atlas this afternoon, with my expectationometer set to neutral.
My expectations were enormously exceeded.
Apart from some difficult-to-adjust-to editing during the first 15 minutes, Cloud Atlas is a very good film.
It is a behemoth of a story, held together by crisp writing, a very good cast and some beautiful dialogue.
Yes, the dodgy prosthetics do let the side down, but the prosthetics are not the story.
Yes, there are loose ends left trailing.
Yes there are minor structural problems.
However, none of these things are the story.
The story is a tale, told over six distinct segments, of how we interact with each other – through a number of different lifetimes.
The moral basis is a combination of zen/karma that sits easily in my world, though it will drive the religious extremists nuts.
Tom Hanks does a very nice job in all of his parts (but there should be a warning triangle around his – almost – Scottish accent).
Hugh Grant plays the Nuclear Boss like Hugh Grant but, surprisingly, he plays his other parts with considerably more flair.
Halle Berry performs well throughout.
But the film-stealer is the performance from the South Korean actress, Bae Doona, in her role as Sonmi~451.
It is impossible – for me, at least – to ignore the ‘love across the ages’ theme, and for those that believe in love at first sight, this thread is heartwarming.
I was delighted by Cloud Atlas.
Yes, it is a long film but it does not *seem* long.
Overall, this is one of the best pieces of all-round entertainment that I have had the pleasure of watching in recent years.
I wouldn’t want to watch it on a television, though. I think this film, like the story, is too big for the smaller screen (no matter how big ones plasma screen night be).
Cloud Atlas: 7.5/10
OK, I’m looking forward to seeing this now… if I get the opportunity.
Hey, I was brought up on Dr Who and Star Trek TOS… dodgy prosthetics will only enhance it for me!
Just been to see this. I understand what you mean about the prosthetics!
Takes some getting your ‘ed round, dunnit?
Yep, it is take some getting used to. I did find the first couple of scene changes quite confusing. But it started falling into place fairly quickly. And yes, dodgy prosthetics.
But…
What did you think of the film?
Oh, I enjoyed it, alright. Thought it was all very clever… apart from Tom Hanks’ Scottish accent!
Got a bit annoyed at the end, when Broadbent’s Mr Cavendish was typing the final parts of his story. An Englishman’s story. Being written in England. Yet he typed the word ‘labored’. That’s Hollywood, for you.
I look forward to getting it on DVD. Watching it again, I reckon it’ll make much more sense to me – in much the same was as 2001 did, second time around.
It’s a great movie, but not perfect. There was barely any emotional-connection I had with this movie and I don’t know why that was, but it just did not work out so perfectly for me in the end. Nice review.