Cloud Atlas

                It is difficult to say exactly what this movie is about.  The general premise is based on six separate storylines that span the globe and 472 years of time.  The first taking place in the South Pacific in 1849, and the last taking place in a post-apocalyptic reality in the Hawaiian Islands in the year 2321.  Although all of these storylines are seemingly unrelated, the actors recur as very different characters in each story, sometimes playing a large part, sometimes a small one; sometimes a hero, sometimes a villain; sometimes a man, sometimes a woman.  The stories all become related to each other by the end and a theme of love and integrity is a cord that runs through the entire film.

                 Cloud Atlas stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent.  You might also recognize Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant and Jim Sturgess among others.  Three of the storylines are directed by The Wachowskis, best known for The Matrix trilogy, and the other three are directed by Tom Tykwer, a German director best known for Run, Lola, Run.  Both of their distinct directing styles are rich and distinct, making for a beautiful and visually impressive film.

                I happened to really love this movie.  There is a little something for everyone here.  Each of the stories does have a romantic element to it, though only one makes it the focus of the story.  There is lots of action and some of the stories are very funny.  It is really interesting to see Tom hanks play a hero and a villain in the same movie and Halle Berry is a male character in one story.  The Visuals are breathtaking and the music is stunning without taking focus from the scene. 

                There are three drawbacks to my recommending this to everyone:

1)      This film is not for children.  It is rated R for quite a bit of swearing and a little nudity.

2)      This movie is long.  I was not aware until I got out of the theatre, but it is nearly 3 hours, so if you don’t like to sit for long periods or can’t focus for that long, this might not be the movie for you.

3)      It can be confusing if you are not paying strict attention.  The stories don’t go in order and the film jumps back and forth among them.  If you are more of a linear story fan, this might not be the movie for you.

Over all this is a wonderful movie that is well-made as well as being highly entertaining.  It might not be for everyone, but please give it a chance even if you are not sure what it might be about, it is definitely worth it! 

Entertainment:   8

Award-Worthy:  8     One of the few that does both well!