Cloud Atlas film is an epic mental workout

Calling a film "epic" is often a gross overstatement; however, I do not reserve the use of that word for Cloud Atlas. The midnight premiere
on Oct. 26 may have been understated at best, but the movie certainly speaks for itself.
The film is based on David Mitchell's 2004 novel Cloud Atlas. The story is a constellation of six narratives, all of which are tied together and tell a human story of connectedness, liberation, redemption,
memory and sin. Every character's journey is experienced by the primary character of the following temporal narrative. Cloud Atlas chronicles ramifications
from fictional events that take place in 1849, 1931, 1975, 2012, the 22nd century and a post-apocalyptic future that exists after "The Fall." The film intricately wraps these time periods into one story and one message. To give a better synopsis would be to show the film itself; its complexity is staggering.
The film stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant and many more. The most daring part of this film - apart from weaving six temporal sequences
together - is the inclusion
of most major characters in all six sequences. Yes, that's right: Tom Hanks has six roles, Halle Berry has six roles and so on. On account of the superb production, easily missed on a first viewing, the presence of the same persons underneath their characters begins to sink in as the film progresses.
Clocking in at 172 minutes, the film is a mental workout. Some reviewers
have compared the magnitude
and boldness of the film to last year's Tree of Life, but the narrative nature of Cloud Atlas seems to lend itself more to the audience. Cloud Atlas certainly has the potential to be over the audience's
head: many commentators have offered mixed reviews and audience reviews have placed the film around the average-to-good range.
Despite its detractors, Cloud Atlas is still one of those films that beckons to be seen again; a first viewing leaves the audience silent and stunned. If anything, the sheer fullness and richness of the film provides enough content for the viewer to experience it again and again, both in the story line and the emotional reaction. It is, if anything, an epic story.