What is an ocean but a multitude of drops?

Rating: 10/10 (5 July 2016)

Rarely do you see a movie that embraces the possibilities of the medium so fully. This story could easily have been told in a much more conventional way but it would certainly have been worse off for it.
The editing, cinematography, set design, score, acting and make-up are all stunning. Even if you have no idea what's going on you just have to sit back, let the beautiful pictures wash over you and try to take it all in. Trusting that it will all make sense in the end. Asking questions along the way is pointless.
And does it all make sense in the end? In a way, yes. Trying to tie up all the loose ends is an exercise in futility. This is a movie about universal themes; love, freedom, greed, control. The details are important in the emotions they evoke but don't try to explain every little thing.
There are many messages you can take away from this film. Which ones will end up resonating more is largely dependent on you as a viewer. To me, the main theme was that even small individual acts can influence large events. If enough of us act in a certain way we can change the future. Even an individual acting alone can have a profound effect if the right action is taken at the right time.
Secondly, I loved the way art was used as a medium to communicate these acts across the different stories. Music, literature, movies and scripture were all used as media to carry one person's actions through to audiences in different times and places. Beautifully and powerfully done.
There has been a lot of talk about the use of re-incarnation in this movie but I think that's almost beside the point. Yes, it's implied but ultimately I don't think it's important for the story. Human beings act out the same mistakes and kindnesses throughout history. History repeats itself. Some people act out of kindness, some out of greed. Some are easily influenced and can have a big effect if swayed one way or the other. Whether these people are re-incarnated souls or new individuals makes little difference. Human nature is what it is and changes slowly if at all.
So what is ultimately the message of Cloud Atlas? Keep fighting the good fight? Perhaps. Perhaps this is at its core nothing more than a retelling of your basic early 80's Spielberg movie. But what a retelling! This is worth seeing for the sheer ambition alone.