Based on David Mitchell’s novel, Cloud Atlas has been adapted and directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Perfume). With six weaving storylines, settings and genres to navigate, directorial duties were divvied up. The Wachowskis helmed three threads of the film’s busy tapestry: a 19th Century drama concerning abolitionist Jim Sturgess; a futuristic Blade Runner-style adventure featuring Doona Bae as a rebellious subject in dystopian Korea; and a post-apocalyptic fantasy that sees goat herder Tom Hanks living on the Hawaiian islands. Tykwer, meanwhile, took care of the rest: a 20th century star-crossed romance about composer Ben Whishaw; a 1970s political thriller centred around tabloid journalist Halle Berry; and a modern day farce about Jim Broadbent’s misadventures in an old-folks’ home.
Nominally, these gorgeously presented stories are meant to unite in their exploration of universal themes; the human condition, the fragility of relationships and the unseen nature of causality. And there are moments of beauty in most of the stories, particularly Doona Bae’s emotional escape to self-discovery and Ben Whishaw’s writing of both romantic love letters and beautiful piano music. But too often, the quasi-profound message about cosmic interconnectedness isn’t shown through emotion, but hyperactive, time-jumping editing that emphasises the jarring tonal shifts.
This literal approach, focusing on the superficial execution of the novel’s conceit, not the exploration of the underlying emotion, leads to problems. Though the actors impressively and often unrecognisably play multiple parts, the use of prosthetics to change their race (most controversially the use of “yellowface”) is unnecessary and distracting.
Yet despite its flaws, Cloud Atlas remains an engagingly epic spectacle, as the stunning visuals, blisteringly paced action, Matrix-style effects and sweeping score prove rich and rewarding.
Visionary, artful, audacious, sumptuous and self-important, Cloud Atlas never matches the dizzying heights of its ambition with accurate aim, but there’s wonder to be found in watching the attempt.