Probably The Most Dazzling Film of the Year

Rating: 10/10 (12 November 2012)

Six stories and many lives have common links in "Cloud Atlas": the quest for love, freedom, or freedom to love. Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, and a very good supporting cast make this an epic ride that is bound to impress and move you over and over.
It's hard to describe the experience because it is something to be enjoyed and admire as the directors take you from one era to another, slowly unfolding stories of love and friendship. References are made by different characters about what has happened before. Sometimes these references are inspirational or heartbreaking. While this is happening, we get to witness some wonderful period recreations that enhance the idea that history is an essential part of us, but it is the human relationships that make us special, and somehow life is a matter of one door closing and another opening to allow us to continue this cosmic trip.
We see people breaking through the chains of slavery and violence, homophobia, ignorance, social classes, and more. Politics and some dark references about the future of humanity are put forth, and it is up to the audience to discuss them. Much of the brilliance here is the acting jobs by the various actors who must create different personas, and yet keep the common link alive. There is the issue of reincarnation, but get ready to be thrown a few curve balls, and a lot of the fun is how we might be fooled by the excellent make up jobs.
More impressive is the fact that the film was directed by three people, and it has a strong unity reinforcing the various messages. "Cloud Atlas" will definitely remind you of the power of cinema, the strength of human emotions, and having faith in the power of love