Cloud Atlas: The Movie

Cloud Atlas is a near three hour movie costing around $100,000,000 and stars Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in multiple roles. There are other fine actors with lesser known names.

Recently, the author of the 2004 book in an interview doubted whether the book could be a film because of the six time eras and the complexity of the past lives, good and bad deeds from the past and present create one's future and love themes. After he had seen the film adaptation, he was okay with it. Movie critics have basically given it 2.5 stars, none have raved about it or said it was not worth seeing. All agree that the impact of the movie lasts long after you have seen the movie because it has you thinking about the impact of past lives and deeds of your own life and you are trying to sort out the characters and how they relate to the movie as a whole.

That said, it is a fast paced movie. You will never lose interest, much like Run, Lola, Run, and before you know it the three hours are gone. That is because within the first 20 minutes of the film, you time jump from the 1800's to 2150 or so. Some of the two main characters will be seen in the 1800's than later in the 70's, then later more, in present day and still later in the 21st Century. After that, you will be taken to each of the time eras every 10-15 minutes or so. Just as you begin to connect the dots because of relationships you are jetted away to another era with totally different characters other than Tom Hanks and Halle Berry (she is so hot in the 70's era).

I was able to connect Tom and Halle throughout from the 70's to 21st Century because of love, soul mate love. But had more problems with the others. The film is also about overcoming fears and personal demons and how they impact the soul throughout eternity until overcome. In the scene where Hanks and Berry meet in the 70's at a nuclear reactor where something suspicious is going on, they both felt something deep for one another. Hanks noted it must be from a past life. Then, Hanks is killed and Berry is nearly killed. If you have ever met another and immediately, without any explanation, felt love between you, you identify with the scene. It happened to me years ago, it was so odd. It is like magnets drawn to one another. In my case, we were together for two years and then one day, driving back from Tahoe she said, "it's over, our paths are separating". I have not seen her since but I still think of her. In the movie, life paths come together or intersect for a duration and may or may not separate for a reason, once the reason is completed, the path takes a new direction or personal will can dictate the course, for better or worse. If things get worse, that may be a sign.

Of course, there are subplots and story lines in the movie that can obscure its overall theme, but in the end it comes down to love that transcends throughout time long after one dies and it will resurface. When it does, those who found it, will recognize it.

I give it three stars. Oh, despite the love theme, it is an action packed film in many ways.