He was so wrong. Cloud Atlas is not crazy, it makes perfect sense, and for weird – substitute the word innovative. Beautiful is too small a word to describe the poetry of the screenplay and I didn't merely 'love' it – I fell in love with Cloud Atlas and all the many layered stories contained within.
The underlying theme is that we are all connected, actions we take now impact on future generations in ways we cannot imagine. Not only do our deeds continue to reverberate down through time, but art can capture the imaginations and even provide the inspiration for a revolution.
Oppression, slavery and falling were constant themes too – however zipping in and out of each story at the speed of light, there were moments of high comic relief provided by Jim Broadbent as an egoistical publisher, who became the prisoner of Hugo Weaving playing the indomitable Nurse Noakes.
Each story in itself is a masterpiece – the actors, the photography, the music – Cloud Atlas could easily have been shown as three separate films. These stories are combined and interwoven, zapping from one place and time to another – the film takes no prisoners – keep up, or be left behind – but even to be trailing along in the wake of brilliance is an experience not to be missed. Countless little jolts of pleasure as you spot a reference to a previous or yet to be story provide a multitude of "Aha – so that's why …" moments, although some are more subtle than others, and so tonight, I'm going to watch Cloud Atlas for the third time in four days, simply because I'm in love with this amazing, innovative, beautiful, brilliant masterpiece.
It's unlikely any of the people connected with this film will ever read this review, but if by the slightest chance they do, I want to say thank you for making this film one of the greatest experiences ever. Especial thanks to David Mitchell for daring to be different, and allowing others to be inspired by your imagination.
For a more in-depth review, I recommend "A Soul's Odyssey" by Connor of Canada at this site.