“Cloud Atlas” is a 2012 film that belongs to the category of science fiction paintings.
The budget is $ 102 million, most of which was received thanks to independent firms. Accordingly, the film became the most expensive of large companies not made with money. World fees have not greatly exceeded the funds invested in it. They amounted to $ 130 million. It is difficult to admit success. But still, the money spent on production paid off pretty well.
The author of the novel of the same name is David Mitchell. He believes that almost all heroes are the reincarnation of one soul in different bodies. It is easy to identify by one important feature. In the film, this topic is slightly changed. As the directors say, this is done so that the audience understands the purpose of this feature.
Cloud Atlas: Movie Description
The almanac is six stories that at first glance have nothing in common. Each of them occurs at a different time. Past, present, future - you can watch all the times.
As the slogan says, "everything is interconnected." This can be attributed to the storylines of the film "Cloud Atlas". What is the movie about? Read about it later.
We are immediately transported to the XIX century. The American is returning home to the Pacific Ocean. Working as a notary public, he has seen a lot over the years of service. But he did not know that this trip would turn his life upside down. He meets an English doctor who has his secrets. This meeting will make the hero look at his life with different eyes and change priorities. Upon arrival, he is going to do important things. But fate itself intervenes in his plans. Will he even manage to get home?
In 1936, the events of the next part are unfolding. Confidence in the young composer Robert is undermined, and he decides to leave the university. Having settled as a secretary to the talented musician Ayres, he seeks to restore an honest name. But the situation worsens when a young man falls in love with the wife of his boss. Meanwhile, Robert is composing a symphony, but Ayres wants to appropriate authorship. Relations between them are rapidly getting worse. And it is completely unknown who will win the hard and fierce battle.
70s of the past century. The safety of nuclear reactors is being called into question. An ambitious journalist intends to undertake an analysis of these problems. When she reads the reports, she finds old letters. They are addressed to Rufus Sixsmith, thanks to whom the girl got down to business with reactors. Their author is Frobisher, who invented the Cloud Atlas sextet many years ago. These unusual messages haunt the heroine.
Our days. With the help of his brother, a popular writer who recently published a bestseller ends up in a nursing home. The conditions there are extremely harsh, and its inhabitants do not want to be here. Dermot manages to find like-minded people with whom he builds an escape plan. Along with this, he discovers an article by Louise Rey, who was investigating in the previous episode. Men have to make efforts so that their intentions do not prevent. They are about to run away, and it is almost impossible to stop them. But will they be able to do this? And what will end their dangerous actions?
Neo-Seoul, 2144. Progress does not stand still, and now, along with ordinary inhabitants of the Earth, there are clones, the so-called "manufacturers." The planet’s population is divided into two camps, one of which is people who were born in the usual way, and the second are just cloned individuals, which form the lowest class in society. Sonmi 451 is one of its representatives. She works in a cafe where people like her come. Robots are not much different from humans. After a few years, the clones get rid of the services, and others come in their place. Soon, it will be Sonmy's turn, who does not want to leave this world. Before her execution, she will share a secret with the Archivist.
The final stage of epoch-making history opens the door to 2321. Society split into numerous clans. Many have already degraded, and this process continues at an enormous rate. People ceased to live long, including due to environmental problems. Radiation has claimed many lives and continues to do so. Doubt 451 was able to achieve unprecedented heights in society. Listen to her and comply with absolutely all her requirements. Residents of the Dales are afraid of old Georgie, about whom there are a lot of legends. In the coming days, life on the planet will change, and not for the better for everyone.
Who is behind the production of the film?
Most people are immediately interested in the names of directors before watching. This may be the decisive factor by which potential eyewitnesses will decide whether to see the picture or not. But with the Cloud Atlas, things are better. Its directors are Tom Tykver, as well as Lana and Lilly Wachowski. Their names are known to almost all film lovers. In the late 90s, under their leadership, the legendary Matrix was released, which has two sequels (both saw the light in 2003). As producers, they worked on the paintings "V - means Vendetta", "Speed ​​Racer" and "Climbing Jupiter." Knowing about the past merits of Lana and Lilly, fans were confident in the quality of the upcoming epic. And Tom Tykver was engaged in the production of such projects as “Paris, I love you”, “Perfumer”, “Run, Lola, Run” and “Hologram for the King”. It is noteworthy that all of them acted as screenwriters of this film.
"Cloud Atlas" (2012 film), whose actors did an excellent job, can be "called" stellar. Not in every picture you can see so many famous personalities, who also have a remarkable talent. Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Bae Doo Na, and Oscar winners Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Susan Sarandon. It is they who are ready for three hours to give a lot of emotions to each of you. It is impossible not to note that they coped with their duties "excellently". Actors can be seen in most stories. They play different characters. And we can see the sparkling reincarnations of celebrities, with whom they coped with "excellent".
For example, Tom Hanks in the first story is Dr. Henry Goose, in the second - the hotel manager, in the third - the physicist, in the fourth - the author of the book "Fist in the mouth", in the fifth - the actor, who plays the main role in the film "The Last Judgment of Timothy Cavendish ", And in the last - a shepherd. Hugh Grant was the owner of the hotel, and the head of the corporation, Lloyd Hooks, and the leader of the Konov tribe. Halle Berry did an excellent job with the role of a resident of the Aboriginal tribe, and the journalist Louise Rey, and the seer Meronim. The role of the Abbess, the priestess of the clan of the Residents of the Valley, brilliantly performed by Susan Sarandon. In addition, she got the role of Ursula in the fourth episode and Madame Horrocks in the first. The roles of Sonmi 451 and the goddess Sonmi went to the beautiful Bae Na Na.
Is there something similar?
Those who were pleased with what they saw would probably be interested in whether there are similar films with the movie Cloud Atlas. As it turned out, there are not so many of them, and the film itself is almost a unique phenomenon in the cinema. But still, it is necessary to highlight the best films. Cloud Atlas, at least in part, but similar to them.
The Fountain (2006)
The main roles were played by Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. A wonderful acting duet is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent. They play spouses in whose life an uninvited guest appears - a terrible disease. A charming woman is left to live not so long. Her husband is a successful doctor. He is ready to do absolutely everything to save his beloved. The man is obsessed with finding a cure and gradually moves away from his wife. Meanwhile, the heroine writes a fairy tale story that distracts her from bad thoughts. The film received high marks from both cinema viewers and critics. A sincere and bright history will give a joyful and warm experience. The Golden Globe nomination is an indicator of appreciation among the true connoisseurs of good cinema.
"Mr. Nobody" (2009)
The performance of the central role went to Jared Leto. Many are familiar with the unattainable talent of this actor. Almost any images are subject to him, and Jared is especially enthusiastic about transferring each of them to the screen. His character is an ordinary guy named Nemo Nobody. He could live a long and happy life, but one morning he wakes up a weak old man. No one is the star of a television show whose ending will be his death. The man is the only mortal in the future. The rest are immortal and enjoy every day spent. All of them are watching a hero who does not have much time to live. Diana Kruger played Anna, a longtime friend of the protagonist. Their relationship went wrong from an early age. And soon the paths of the young guys parted. However, fate brings them together again, giving Nemo a chance to correct the mistakes made.
Nominations did not leave this film without attention. Four awards, including a prize at the Venice Film Festival, can tell a lot.
"I am the beginning" (2014)
The character of Michael Pitt is the young guy Ian, who devotes his life to molecular biology. He pays attention only to verified facts that can be easily proved. A chance acquaintance with attractive Sophie leads him to doubt some of the evidence. The hero wants to get to the truth and find out which of the theories turned out to be wrong. He begins independent work, the purpose of which is to change the world. Together with a new friend, the guy decides to study the iris. But he was completely unprepared for the discoveries he had received. Ambiguous reviews also suggest that not everyone can understand the film. In general, he received the majority of approvals. This is displayed in the award received at the Catalan International Festival held in Sitges.
What sounded during the film?
The film "Cloud Atlas" received positive reviews for the musical design, which turned out to be so high-quality that even professionals could not pass by. The right sound in every scene is what brings positive emotions. In this regard, composers were able to achieve the desired result. In addition, it does not hurt to say that it was for his soundtrack that he was lucky to receive awards at film awards.
Music from the movie "Cloud Atlas" in the category of "hits" is not included. But this, rather, can be attributed to the merits rather than the disadvantages. Charming, and sometimes disturbing music goes well with the scene in which it sounds. And so throughout the film, our ears delight with wonderful soundtracks. The authors of the music are Tom Tykver, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil. Best Songs: Prelude: The Atlas March, Cloud Atlas Opening Title, Travel To Edinburgh.
Cloud Atlas (2012 film): reviews
As you know, it is impossible to please everyone at once. Representatives of the cinema know this like no other. Trying to submit their project to the audience court, they hope to get high ratings and, of course, impressive fees. However, not everyone has such hopes come true. The film "Cloud Atlas" failed to escape criticism. Both professionals and ordinary contemplators were able to find the cons, which turned out to be a lot in the film "Cloud Atlas".
Criticism reviews about the film are mostly mixed. Of course, there are also positive assessments in which the work of the creators of the film and the entire cast is appreciated. But a lot of negativity was expressed, mainly regarding shortcomings in the plot lines.
Many viewers spoke in a positive light about their favorite moments. There were plenty of fascinating and exciting episodes. “Cloud Atlas” (film) the audience’s reviews were called colorful, vibrant, exciting, touching ... Everyone would be lucky to find that fascinating episode that would be remembered for a long time. But also the film "Cloud Atlas" received negative reviews from many viewers.
What did they not like? Many were alerted by the considerable duration of the film. Not everyone is able to sit in front of the screen for almost three hours and not lose the thread of events.
Another drawback of the audience called the understatement of storylines. Intricate and not always understandable twists and turns made people think about whether the creators really decided to "twist" all the stories or if they just do not understand.
Everyone agreed on the main virtue of the picture. The film "Cloud Atlas" received positive reviews in almost 100% of cases for the cast already mentioned. Here, almost no one claims. Both the actors themselves and their game were able to satisfy even the most demanding people. In addition, many were interested in guessing what kind of person is hidden under the make-up in a particular scene. The change of plot twists and turns did not suit only those who could not quickly "switch" and understand the essence of what was happening.
Are there any rewards?
After its release, the film "Cloud Atlas", reviews of which are rather controversial, was still nominated for dozens of prestigious awards. Among them are “Sputnik” (3 nominations, including “Best Visual Effects”) and “Golden Globe” (“Best Music”). However, the picture failed to achieve victory. Smaller ceremonies still pleased the creators, handing them an award for the best musical accompaniment. We can only add that experienced sound engineers and composers praised the filmmakers for their excellent soundtrack.
It is noteworthy that the scenery also did not stand aside. Although they did not receive any bonuses, they spoke well of them. It is difficult to argue with these words, because the graphics and clothes of the characters turned out to be worthy. It’s impossible to take your eyes off the graphics, and the outfits looked heroes just great.
What is the result?
“Cloud Atlas” (film 2012), reviews, the description of which we reviewed, from the category of “not for everyone”. Behind the bewitching picture, high-quality sound, talented play of actors and beautiful costumes of characters lies a deep meaning that not everyone can understand. This project will surely make its audience think. About what? Everyone will decide for himself. Watching this film, do not forget to include your mindfulness. And, of course, remember that the picture lasts 2 hours 52 minutes!
We can conclude that borders are only conventions, and you can become free from them at any time. Changing reality and influencing the future is in the hands of man himself, that is, of each of us. It remains only to set a goal, which must be followed. A fascinating and unforgettable sight awaits those who dare to see this grandiose story. When you start viewing, be sure: the intricacies of the plot will not take long.