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Cloud Atlas

  • 20122012
  • RR
  • 2h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
360K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,409
145
Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Bae Doona, Jim Sturgess, and Ben Whishaw in Cloud Atlas (2012)
An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.
Play trailer2:34
6 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Sci-Fi
An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples acro... Read allAn exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
360K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,409
145
  • Directors
    • Tom Tykwer
    • Lana Wachowski
    • Lilly Wachowski
  • Writers
    • David Mitchell(novel "Cloud Atlas")
    • Lana Wachowski(written for the screen by)
    • Tom Tykwer(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hanks
    • Halle Berry
    • Hugh Grant
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Tom Tykwer
    • Lana Wachowski
    • Lilly Wachowski
  • Writers
    • David Mitchell(novel "Cloud Atlas")
    • Lana Wachowski(written for the screen by)
    • Tom Tykwer(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hanks
    • Halle Berry
    • Hugh Grant
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1KUser reviews
    • 523Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 15 wins & 79 nominations

    Videos6

    U.S. Version -- #1
    Trailer 2:34
    U.S. Version -- #1
    Extended First Look
    Trailer 5:43
    Extended First Look
    Cloud Atlas
    Trailer 2:24
    Cloud Atlas
    "A Multitude of Drops"
    Featurette 6:18
    "A Multitude of Drops"
    Directors' Commentary
    Featurette 2:24
    Directors' Commentary
    TV Spot
    Promo 0:33
    TV Spot

    Photos203

    Halle Berry in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Jim Broadbent and Louis Dempsey in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    James D'Arcy and Ben Whishaw in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Tom Hanks, Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess, and David Gyasi in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Tom Hanks and Jim Broadbent in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Bae Doona and Jim Sturgess in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    James D'Arcy and Hugo Weaving in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in Cloud Atlas (2012)
    Cloud Atlas (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Dr. Henry Gooseas Dr. Henry Goose…
    Halle Berry
    Halle Berry
    • Native Womanas Native Woman…
    Hugh Grant
    Hugh Grant
    • Rev. Giles Horroxas Rev. Giles Horrox…
    Hugo Weaving
    Hugo Weaving
    • Haskell Mooreas Haskell Moore…
    Jim Broadbent
    Jim Broadbent
    • Captain Molyneuxas Captain Molyneux…
    Jim Sturgess
    Jim Sturgess
    • Adam Ewingas Adam Ewing…
    Bae Doona
    Bae Doona
    • Tildaas Tilda…
    Ben Whishaw
    Ben Whishaw
    • Cabin Boyas Cabin Boy…
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Kupakaas Kupaka…
    James D'Arcy
    James D'Arcy
    • Young Rufus Sixsmithas Young Rufus Sixsmith…
    Xun Zhou
    Xun Zhou
    • Talbot (Hotel Manager)as Talbot (Hotel Manager)…
    David Gyasi
    David Gyasi
    • Autuaas Autua…
    Susan Sarandon
    Susan Sarandon
    • Madame Horroxas Madame Horrox…
    Robert Fyfe
    Robert Fyfe
    • Old Salty Dogas Old Salty Dog…
    Martin Wuttke
    Martin Wuttke
    • Mr. Boerhaaveas Mr. Boerhaave…
    Robin Morrissey
    Robin Morrissey
    • Young Cavendishas Young Cavendish
    Brody Nicholas Lee
    Brody Nicholas Lee
    • Javier Gomezas Javier Gomez
    • (as Brody Lee)
    • …
    Ian van Temperley
    Ian van Temperley
    • Enforceras Enforcer
    • Directors
      • Tom Tykwer
      • Lana Wachowski
      • Lilly Wachowski
    • Writers
      • David Mitchell(novel "Cloud Atlas")
      • Lana Wachowski(written for the screen by)
      • Tom Tykwer(written for the screen by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In 2005, while on the London set of V for Vendetta (2005), Natalie Portman gave a copy of the original novel to Lana Wachowski, who became deeply interested in it. A year later, both Wachowski siblings wrote a first draft of the screenplay. Tom Tykwer, a friend of the Wachowskis, was invited to co-author several subsequent drafts with them in the following two years, constantly keeping in mind observations by the book's author himself, David Mitchell, while looking for international investors. In all those years, Portman was promised the role of Sonmi-451, but had to turn down the role at the last minute after becoming pregnant in 2010; however, she is given a special thanks in the closing credits.
    • Goofs
      The 1849 slave trade contract that Ewing was bringing back to his Father in the states was unenforceable. The slave trade had been outlawed in the United States on January 1, 1808, the first date permitted by the Constitution. The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves of 1807 (2 Stat. 426, enacted March 2, 1807). Slaves could no longer be imported into the United States. The slave trade was dead. Likewise, California was a "free state" where owning slaves was outlawed in 1849.
    • Quotes

      Sonmi-451: Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others. Past and present. And by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.

    • Crazy credits
      When a montage is shown of all the characters the actors play, the font of the names changes with each time period.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.21 (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Looking For Freedom
      Music by Jack White

      Lyrics by Gary Cowtan

      Performed by David Hasselhoff

      © by Radiomusic - International (50% for Germany/Austria/Switzerland) / Young Music Publishing (Remaining World)

      Courtesy of Universal Music Publishing Group (Germany)

      Mit Freundlicher Genehmigung von Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH

      Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH

    User reviews1K

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A soul's odyssey
    Cloud Atlas is unlike its contemporaries at the multiplex. It tells a big story in an engaging, difficult fashion. It has big names and a big budget. But it also is thematically dense… it wants to tell you something through plot, characters, dialogue and symbols. Cloud Atlas is also thankfully a very enjoyable film, much longer and denser than much of what is available today. "Ambition" defines this film.

    In just under 3 hours, six radically different stories are told, and they appeal to a broad audience: a 19th century tale of unlikely brotherhood, the letters of a gay composer to his partner in the 1930's, a San Francisco- set conspiracy in the 70's, A hilarious account of an old publisher's woes. A Blade Runner-esque clone's struggle for freedom, and the survival of a tribe after 'The Fall'. Genre conventions are toppled, as these stories with different tones are juggled in short intervals, leading from comedic highs to shocking drama in minutes.

    But as with the characters, these plots are connected thematically, and clever wordplay and visual imagery links the stories, such as the end of a monologue referencing "the gates of Hell" and cutting to a shot of the gates of a building that, for Cavendish at least, is the gates of Hell. Each of the stories has strengths, a few have faults, but together the medley is incredible.

    I found that while the earliest two stories began slowly and plainly, they developed very well and provided fantastic drama, especially the 1849 story. The Nuclear thriller was strong, Halle Berry is great and there are some real twists, and I also loved the 'Dirty Harry' and 'China Syndrome' vibes, but comedy bled into it from the 2012 story which diminished the climax. The 2012 story is hilarious, and its first scene is a standout; Tom Hanks is incredible as Dermot Hoggins. Although while the story is interesting, it doesn't fit quite so well thematically- it's almost too light. Listening to the 'Cloud Atlas Sextet' fits with all the stories, but can't resonate with Cavendish's. The future Korea is visually stunning and communicates its themes well, certainly the darkest plot, but the action can get over the top (Yes, I know who directed this) and there are some horrible clichés. But that scene of horrendous dialogue, the weakest in the film, can't derail a great piece. Lastly is the bleak, Hawaii- set post-apocalyptic story. It was my favourite, possibly because I'm a sucker for anything involving apocalypse. But Hanks and Berry are fantastic again, the barbarians are menacing and scary, and the story is cool. It also concludes the film perfectly.

    I've only talked about the plot! The actors really steal the show. In the credits, each actor's name is placed with a clip of every one of their characters… everyone in the theatre stopped and stayed. People play characters you had no idea they played. A few highlights: Sturgess' lawyer and the slave Autua, Frobisher, Hugh Grant's sexist nuclear boss, Cavendish and Hanks' Hoggins. Doona Bae as Somni and Hugo Weaving's "Old Georgie" round it out- the latter is truly a demon. Much credit has to go to the makeup, literally making actors disappear into their roles. There is a huge number of transsexual and even race-bridging roles- it's worthy of note that Lana Wachowski was at one point Larry Wachowski. Also deserving of praise, and possibly Oscars is the large scale visual effects that cover hundreds of years and look so believable. Sound quality is top-notch as well, listening to Old Georgie is chilling, as is the vision of Korean diners, and well... the whole future.

    But all this plot serves a purpose, and Cloud Atlas intends to tell you things. Freedom is possibly the biggest theme, as well as the idea that our actions affect others greatly throughout time: we're part of a large human network. Really though there's so much to talk about you should just see the film. There are small stumbles every so often, but the structure hides them very well. No one story takes more time than others, no one character takes more time than others, and the structure and pacing drives the film forward briskly. It's a shame this film hasn't been better received commercially, because it's a phenomenal achievement, interesting sci-fi and drama, and as of now, the best film I've seen in 2012. 8.8/10
    helpful•337
    170
    • Kubris
    • Nov 3, 2012

    FAQ3

    • Is "Cloud Atlas" based on a book?
    • What is the music played in the extended trailer?
    • Who directed which segments?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 26, 2012 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Germany
      • Hong Kong
      • Singapore
      • China
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Ukrainian
      • Korean
    • Also known as
      • Vân Đồ
    • Filming locations
      • Port de Sóller, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Cloud Atlas Productions
      • X-Filme Creative Pool
      • Anarchos Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $102,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $27,108,272
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,612,247
      • Oct 28, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $130,516,424
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39:1

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