Cloud Atlas is ambitious but way too flawed.
When a film tries to encompass not two or three but six story-lines in a single narrative, you can't help but appreciate the mere display of courage to attempt such a gargantuan task. Directed by three directors no less (Andy-Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer), Cloud Atlas tries hard to make a point but fails unfortunately.
The six story-lines are so disjointed in their theme that the film altogether appears like an anthology and worse, without a connecting thread. There might be a subtle hint of some metaphysical/cosmic work going on, but whatever it is, it is so downplayed that every narrative thread ends up in an incoherent resolution - for instance, the first storyline ends up with a happy reunion, the second one with a suicide. Each story is different - first two are period dramas, the third is a thriller, fourth one is a comedy, fifth is a dystopian sci-fi and the sixth is an apocalyptic drama; such a diverse range of genres only add up to the frailty of the narration.
Even with all its uneven storytelling, Cloud Atlas soars magnificently in some scenes - let it be the tragic scene when young composer (played by Ben Whishaw) ends his life and his lover just arrives after the deed, or the scene in 22nd century when we see upside down naked corpses of young female clones, or a thrilling case sequence in the same segment. Again, such scenes are handful.
The film showcases immense acting talent - Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent to name few - almost each actor has played over two characters and yet, this never felt forced or a gimmick. Technically, the film is a makeup and production design achievement - the actors and the settings are seamlessly transformed from one scene to another. As far as editing is concerned, the film feels overly long and the cross cuts between the different segments work occasionally.
Maybe the source material for Cloud Atlas is indeed unfilmable - but for its sheer ambition, the film is worth a watch. Flawed yet beautiful, Cloud Atlas is a failed attempt to reach cinematic clouds of brilliance.
