Before its release, a friend of mine predicted that Cloud Atlas would be a beautiful mess. Her assessment was spot-on. Cloud Atlas presents the same six interlocking stories found in David Mitchell’s book and stays generally true to the book’s themes of oppression and defiance. But its the notion of reincarnation, only hinted at in the book, that is the film’s core. Actors (most notably Tom Hanks and Halle Berry) play various characters who inhabit the various locales ranging from the 19th century Pacific to a 22nd century Korea. Sometimes the results are interesting (Halle Berry as a Jew!), but other times it can be distracting (white guys made up to look Korean).
The entire movie fits a similar pattern. Some scenes, particularly those set in the neon-drenched Neo Seoul, are arresting and invite repeated viewings. Others fall flat. And while I grasp that a book and movie cannot be carbon copies, some of the plot alterations drove me crazy. Mitchell’s book is deeply humane in its clear-eyed assessments of human nature, but the movie ventures dangerously close to New Age mysticism. Instead of letting the audience draw its own conclusions, the movie too often waves a flashing “FEEL SOMETHING” sign.
Lest you think I’m giving the movie a negative review, I’d still recommend seeing it. Hollywood doesn’t put out many epics these days that don’t involve comic book characters. And Clout Atlas is epic, even if it tries to beat you over the head with its epicness at times. It seems to be flopping at the American box office, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it someday achieves cult status.