A life changing film

Rating: 10/10 (27 February 2015)

To begin with, let me just say this... I'm not one to label any old film life changing. Yet this film (to me at least), is just that.
How can I describe the workings of love? How can anyone? It's a near impossibility to do so. You may as well ask me to describe the essence of music, or the colour of starlight... Simply put, love, is beyond words, as this magnificent film shows us... Now that my little intro is over, allow me to elaborate on just how tremendous and life changing this movie is.
When this film was initially released back in 2012, I made the horrendous mistake of not going to see it at my local cinema. Looking back, I regret this immensely. My reasoning for dodging this film is mostly down to the lukewarm reviews it received. The critics who wrote these reviews deserved firing on the spot, as they obviously did not understand the story nor the message of the film. Thanks to this error, I have now learnt never to trust a critic (a lesson long overdue).
Cloud Atlas shows us that love is the only way to true inner-peace. It shows us that the choices we make not only influence us, but those around us. A negative action will spread to others, causing nothing but misery and sorrow, whereas a positive action will spread love, joy and enlightenment... The six stories presented to us take on different themes and genres. In order, they are...
1. The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing – Drama 2. Letters from Zedelgham – Romance 3. Half-Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery – Thriller 4. The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish - Comedy 5. An Orison of Sonmi 451 – Sci-fi 6. Sloosha's Crossin' an Ev'rythin' After – Dystopian/Fantasy
Each of these tales are joined to one another, showing us how 'Everything Is Connected.' I admit that one must be fairly observant in order to notice these connections. But, if you pay close enough attention you'll realise that everything is woven together in the tapestry of life. This is highlighted throughout the film, as it cuts back and forth between the stories, each sequence mirroring the one standing next to it.
In fear of rambling, I'll bring this review to an end... I can't explain this film in any finer detail, as to do so may in fact spoil the experience for you. Just trust me when I say, YOU NEED TO SEE THIS FILM.
I know that this movie splits people down the middle, so most likely you'll either end up loving it, or hating it, but it's worth the risk. Give this film a try... If you enjoyed it, but still found it confusing, then I suggest you re-watch it, as I've found that it only gets better with each subsequent viewing (and I already loved it enough the first time).
I'll leave you now with this quote from the film (and the book). Always think of this in moments of despair. When you think that everything you do will amount to nothing, and that you'll never leave a mark on this world... A quote to remind us all of the goodness we can do, and of the difference we can make.. You may think that your life amounts to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean. Yet, "What is an ocean, but a multitude of drops?"