Detailed Summary
Six Interconnected Stories Across Time and Space
“Cloud Atlas” tells six interwoven stories spanning different eras and genres. The narrative explores the themes of reincarnation, human connection, and the ripple effects of actions across time.
Story 1: “The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing” (1849)
A young lawyer, Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess), travels by ship across the Pacific in the 19th century. He befriends a stowaway slave, Autua (David Gyasi), and gradually realizes that his supposedly benevolent doctor, Dr. Goose (Tom Hanks), is poisoning him for his wealth. The story concludes with Adam deciding to join the abolitionist movement.
Story 2: “Letters from Zedelghem” (1936)
In 1930s Scotland, a young composer named Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw) works as an amanuensis for the aging composer Vyvyan Ayrs (Jim Broadbent). Frobisher writes to his lover, Rufus Sixsmith (James D’Arcy), while secretly composing his masterpiece, the “Cloud Atlas Sextet.” Trapped by Ayrs’ betrayal, Frobisher chooses to end his life after completing his composition.
Story 3: “Half-Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery” (1973)
In a 1970s political thriller setting, journalist Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) investigates a conspiracy at a nuclear power plant. With the help of a now-elderly Rufus Sixsmith (James D’Arcy), she uncovers a plot that threatens the safety of millions. The assassins trying to silence her fail as she exposes the truth.
Story 4: “The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish” (2012)
In contemporary England, publisher Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent) becomes trapped in a nightmarish nursing home after seeking refuge from gangsters. With the help of other residents, he plots a daring escape, which succeeds in a comically triumphant way.
Story 5: “An Orison of Sonmi-451” (2144)
In a dystopian future, Sonmi-451 (Doona Bae), a genetically engineered “fabricant” clone, rises against the oppressive regime. Her experiences are recorded in an orison (a digital archive) and spark a revolution. Before her execution, she realizes her words will inspire future generations.
Story 6: “Sloosha’s Crossin’ an’ Ev’rythin’ After” (2321)
In a post-apocalyptic Hawaii, Zachry (Tom Hanks), a simple villager, is plagued by visions of a demonic entity (Old Georgie, played by Hugo Weaving). He reluctantly helps Meronym (Halle Berry), a technologically advanced Prescient, to find a communication link with humanity’s lost past. They form an unlikely bond, and Zachry helps Meronym in her mission, which ultimately aids humanity’s survival.
Movie Ending
The film concludes with the idea that individual acts of kindness and courage, no matter how small, resonate across time and influence the future. The final scene reveals that the story is being recounted by an older Zachry to his grandchildren on a distant planet, showing that humanity has spread to the stars thanks to those small, interconnected acts of bravery and love.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, “Cloud Atlas” does not have any post-credits scenes.
Type of Movie
“Cloud Atlas” is an epic science fiction drama that blends multiple genres, including historical drama, dystopian sci-fi, romantic tragedy, and dark comedy.
Cast
- Tom Hanks as Dr. Goose / Isaac Sachs / Dermot Hoggins / Zachry
- Halle Berry as Luisa Rey / Meronym / Jocasta Ayrs
- Jim Broadbent as Vyvyan Ayrs / Timothy Cavendish / Captain Molyneux
- Hugo Weaving as Bill Smoke / Nurse Noakes / Old Georgie
- Ben Whishaw as Robert Frobisher / Georgette / Store Clerk
- Doona Bae as Sonmi-451 / Tilda / Megan’s Mom
- Hugh Grant as Lloyd Hooks / Kona Chief / Rev. Giles Horrox
- Susan Sarandon as Yusouf Suleiman / Abbess / Ursula
The actors play multiple roles across different timelines, symbolizing the reincarnation and connections between souls.
Film Music and Composer
Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, and Reinhold Heil composed the score, with the “Cloud Atlas Sextet” standing out as a crucial piece. This composition plays a pivotal role in linking the film’s different timelines and serves as a core element in the storyline.
Filming Locations
- Scotland: Scenes for the 1936 Zedelghem storyline were filmed in the Scottish Highlands.
- Germany: Various scenes, including parts of the futuristic Neo-Seoul and the 2012 Cavendish plot, were shot in and around Berlin.
- Spain: The post-apocalyptic Hawaiian landscape was filmed in the Canary Islands.
The team selected these locations for their striking and diverse landscapes, which vividly represent the different time periods and settings in the storylines.
Awards and Nominations
- Golden Globe Nominations: Best Original Score.
- Saturn Awards: Nominated for Best Science Fiction Film and Best Supporting Actress (Doona Bae).
- BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Visual Effects.
Despite its ambition, the film had mixed critical reception, which impacted its awards season performance.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film was directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis, who split directorial duties. Each directed different timelines to maintain distinct styles.
- The decision to have actors play multiple roles across different eras was both a creative and logistical challenge, requiring extensive makeup and prosthetics.
- The production was one of the most expensive independent films ever made, with a budget of approximately $100 million.
Inspirations and References
- Source Material: The movie is based on David Mitchell’s 2004 novel Cloud Atlas, which features a similar structure of interlinked stories.
- Philosophical Themes: The film explores Nietzschean ideas of eternal recurrence, karma, and collective consciousness, weaving them into its narrative of interconnected destinies.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The team did not create alternate endings, but they trimmed several scenes to streamline the complex narrative. They removed some scenes that offered additional backstory for minor characters to keep the film’s runtime under three hours.
Book Adaptations and Differences
- The novel’s structure is more segmented, with each story split into two halves except for the central one (Sonmi’s story).
- The film intercuts between stories more frequently to highlight thematic connections.
- The book delves deeper into certain characters’ inner thoughts, something the film conveys visually instead.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Sonmi-451’s Speech: Her public declaration of the truth before her execution is one of the most powerful and memorable scenes.
- Zachry and Meronym’s Final Escape: The climactic escape from the Kona tribe mixes tension, emotion, and visual spectacle.
- Frobisher’s Final Moments: The haunting scene of Robert Frobisher finishing his composition before taking his own life.
Iconic Quotes
- “Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others, past and present.” – Sonmi-451
- “I will not be subjected to criminal abuse!” – Timothy Cavendish
- “The weak are meat, and the strong do eat.” – Old Georgie
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- A comet-shaped birthmark appears on multiple characters across different timelines, representing the connection between their souls.
- The Cloud Atlas Sextet appears in subtle variations in multiple timelines as background music, highlighting the continuity of creativity across generations.
- Characters’ accents and speech patterns subtly evolve across timelines, reflecting the passage of time and the blending of cultures.
Trivia
- Independent sources, including fan donations, fully funded the film, making it one of the first of its kind.
- Critics targeted some of the makeup and prosthetic effects, especially when actors portrayed characters of different ethnicities.
- The novel’s author, David Mitchell, praised the adaptation, calling it a “bold and imaginative” take on his work.
Why Watch?
“Cloud Atlas” is an ambitious and thought-provoking film that challenges conventional storytelling. With its sweeping narrative, memorable performances, and intricate connections, it’s a cinematic experience that invites repeat viewings.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Matrix (1999)
- Run Lola Run (1998)
- V for Vendetta (2005)
- Jupiter Ascending (2015)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Fountain (2006)
- The Tree of Life (2011)
- The Matrix (1999)
- Inception (2010)
- The Fall (2006)
