Directors: The Wachowskis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Jim Broadbent and Halle Berry
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Britain have made iconic entertainment as beloved as Jim Broadbent. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1980’s, Broadbent has become a celebrated British icon. Whether it’s magical teachers, political leaders or gangsters, Broadbent has always played compelling characters. Arguably, his greatest strength as an actor has often been strong screen presence. Broadbent is one of those actors that has always had aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Broadbent has always left a strong impression. An actor with commitment towards his craft, Broadbent has become a commemorated icon in entertainment. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Broadbent has never lost strong passion for entertainment. Throughout a bold career, Broadbent has made several powerful movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Broadbent and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “Cloud Atlas” is truly my favourite. Released in 2012, The Wachowski’s sci-fi movie offered an engaging portrait of alternate realities. Packed with breathtaking production design, powerful storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jim Broadbent, who plays an aging professor that travels across alternate dimension. Ultimately, what makes “Cloud Atlas” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most sci-fi movies, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A captivating science-fiction masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Cloud Atlas” is worth seeing.
Set in the 19th Century, “Cloud Atlas” tells the story of several individuals that are connected by circumstances of fate which is dangerous. Jim Broadbent portrays Captain Molyneux, an intelligent professor that has often had strong interest in alternate dimensions. Accompanied by his assistant cabin boy (Ben Whishaw), the captain has always excelled at committing his work without a flaw. However, Molyneux’s life is drastically altered when he discovers the dark consequences of time travel causing disaster. Facing a dilemma, Molyneux discovers painful consequences of being a professor in an age old era. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Molyneux begins to wonder whether he can overcome alternate realities which cause a disaster.
The Wachowskis have always been fascinated with themes of alternate reality. A phenomenal pair of filmmakers, the Wachowskis have often made engrossing movies about time-travelling characters. Their celebrated film “The Matrix” offered a powerful portrait of heroes travelling across alternate dimension. With “Cloud Atlas”, however, the Wachowskis made their first ever literary adaptation. It was the filmmakers’ first attempt to adapt a strong science fiction book, but they succeeded tremendously. Using bold cinematography, the Wachowskis demonstrate an aging professor on a journey to discover his identity. Evoking Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner”, the Wachowskis deftly use point of view shots to capture a professor seeking to discover an alternative reality which causes a disaster. For instance, POV shots enhance the alternative dimension scene. During this engaging scene, Captain Molyneux engages in a piano playing session travelling across alternate dimensions. Through POV shots, the Wachowskis create a portrait of time travel that’s compelling. POV shoes are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” did suggest clearly, POV shots enhance gangster movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Using bold visuals, the Wachowskis capture the tension which aging professors are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Cloud Atlas” which merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. The Wachowskis effectively employ makeup to capture tensions which individuals travelling across dimensions are experiencing. For instance, makeup enhances the alternate reality scene. During this unforgettable scene, Captain Molyneux travels across an alternate reality transforming into someone else within a different time period. Through strong makeup, the Wachowskis create a portrait of time that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Tom Tykwer’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that time travelling professors bear. Through bold production design, The Wachowskis capture the lives of time travelling individuals facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Cloud Atlas” is a science fiction film that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses parallel storytelling to capture tensions individuals in an alternate dimension are facing. For instance, parallel storytelling enhances the final scene. During this unforgettable scene, the different stories about individuals collide in a conflict causing tension. Through strong parallel storytelling, the Wachowskis craft a portrait of time travel which audiences can easily relate to. Parallel storytelling is a tricky technique to use in films. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested clearly, parallel storytelling enhances science fiction movies about dreams. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, the Wachowskis captures the lives of time travelling agents facing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Jim Broadbent delivers one of his best career performances as Molyneux. Broadbent earned appreciation for playing magical teachers in fantasy films. With “Cloud Atlas”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray an aging professor engaging in time travel causing catastrophe but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most bold role. Broadbent has often excelled at playing emotional heroes that are under pressure, and “Cloud Atlas” proved his finest strength as an actor. With engaging expressions, he captures the angst, dedication and curiosity of a professor embarking upon a time travel mission. It’s a strong performance by one of the finest British actors working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Jim Broadbent, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciations. Halle Berry is brilliant, bringing authority to a woman that engages in a doomed time travel mission causing adversity. Ben Whishaw is wonderful, capturing the dedication of a pianist creating melodies without a single flaw that has power to inspire awe. Last, Tom Hanks merits praise. As an adventurous time travel agent, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Cloud Atlas” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing time travel which is precious. Unlike most science fiction movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It tackles strong themes including identity, mental health and grief which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the beloved science fiction book to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about trauma which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “Cloud Atlas” is one of those rare science fiction films that everyone would adore.
Fans of Jim Broadbent would definitely enjoy “Cloud Atlas” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating science fiction classic, it honours an actor that is iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking science-fiction film about adventurous individuals travelling across a complex atlas, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated British actor that has always thrived at playing courageous characters in unforgettable movies that audiences consider to be extremely precious.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 