There has been a lot of buzz about the latest Wachowskirelease – Cloud Atlas. Owing primarily to the beautiful extended trailer we sawa couple of months ago, and due to the fact that it just premiered at theToronto International Film festival recently. The TIFF premiere was met withmixed reviews ranging from ecstatic praise lauding it to be one of the greatestworks of art in the 21st century to “Meh...” So, you either get thisCloud Atlas or you don’t.
Bombaynerds unfortunately couldn't make it to the premier. (We tried, but couldn't ignore the large gaping hole in our pockets where there should have been money). We did, however, get hold of the screenplay of the film. And since I have read the book, I thought I would do a little review of the script and compare it to the book. So, here is a bit of an introduction to Cloud Atlas before we jump into the review.
Cloud Atlas is a book written by the very capable,critically acclaimed and virtuosic writer David Mitchell. It isn’t as much anovel as it is a collection of 6 novellas. These 6 stories are spread across almost 500years, from 19th to the 24th century. In the book, these stories are layered andCloud Atlas is like the figurative onion having 6 distinct layers of stories.
The most interesting point to note however is that the character in each arc isrecording his narration somehow, and this said “recording” is read by thecharcter coming next in our chronology. So, you have a sort of interconnectionbetween each of these six arcs.
The most interesting point to note however is that the character in each arc isrecording his narration somehow, and this said “recording” is read by thecharcter coming next in our chronology. So, you have a sort of interconnectionbetween each of these six arcs.
This experimental form of storytelling allows for a lot of variety. Each of the six stories in CA are different in terms of genre. They can be listed as folows :
This is a classic thriller/mystery/crime novel. Extremely cheesy plot: About a young, vivacious reporter - Luisa Rey, who uncovers a conspiracy run by the board members of a Nuclear Power company which could result in dire consequences (Nuclear Fallout) for her city. She discovers the letters written by Robert Frobisher among the possessions of Rufus Sixsmith, who is also privy to the danger at hand.
The memoir of a sixty something publishing agent, trapped in an old folks home. Reminds you of "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest". Cavendish is like an snarky old version of Randle McMurphy, battling another Nurse Ratchet. He reads the manuscript for Half-Lives, intending to publish it, as well as his own memoir, which he wants made into a film.
AN ORISON OF SONMI~451 - Written in Q & A form; sci-fi; in a dystopian future, the economy is dependent on slave clones. The clone Sonmi becomes the first stable, ascended fabricant, i.e., fully human. Some plot elements of Bladerunner.
SLOOSHA’S CROSSIN’ AN’ EV’RYTHIN’
AFTER - Speculative Science fiction. It is set in a post apocalyptic world, where humans live only in pockets of land. Human civilization has gone a couple of steps backwards, and we go back to being 'savages'. Closest reference here would be the game series called Fallout. Which has a similar premise.
The Screenplay
The screenplay is well written. That I can say right off the bat. It starts of on a strong note, sags a little in the middle but ends spectacularly. All the characters are introduced and the theme of the film is touched upon in the first few pages of the script. Let me remind you, the film juggles six, mind you SIX story-lines which are only interconnected in a metaphysical sense. So you will have to be on your toes throughout, this film demands all your attention.
The script switches constantly between the different narratives. Many of these cuts are contextual, so they should not disrupt your viewing experience, but it does becomes a little difficult to keep up with the characters who haven't made an appearance for a while. A minor issue, but still worth noting. Dialogue isn't anything superlative, it is standard. It is a dissapointment for me because I worship Tarantino and Whedon who are absolute masters at writing dialogue. It isnt much of a hindrance, but don't come in expecting a lot of snazzy, hard hitting lines to be delivered by the actors. Keep a look out for Hugo Weaving and Jim Broadbent though, they have the best lines.
Visually, the film is going to be stunning. I know this not only from the trailer (one of the best ever btw), but from the script as well. They have not compromised on the visual quality at all, probably even on par with the visuals on Peter Jackson's LOTR trilogy (yeah, that good). So, just another reason to watch the film.
Music plays a very big and DIRECT role in the story - one of the characters is a musician who is working on a composition called the Cloud Atlas sextet. So, getting the soundtrack right will play a key role in how this film is received. And from what I have seen in the trailer, it
There you have it, the script standalone is very well done. The film is going to be successful and is a must watch. If you don't get Cloud Atlas, don't worry. You aren't lacking any mental faculties, it only means that it doesn't work for you. Remember, this is a very experimental and unconventional form of story-telling, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. The Bottom line is - Watch the film. It is worth it.
The problem for me, comes when I compare the script to the book. Cloud Atlas the film is VERY different from Cloud Atlas the book. It may be a good, hell, a great film but it is not a faithful adaptation. The book presents a much more satisfying and interesting story.
Screenplay Versus the Book
The charcters stand out and are properly defined. This is one of the bone's I have to pick with the screenwriter's. They have completely botched up some of the breakout characters. Some have not been developed to an extent where you can start connecting/empathizing with them. Some of them are just lamer, to the point where it is shameful comparing them with their counterparts in the book. If I were to provide an analogy, remember Bane from Batman Forever? Yeah, I hope you get it.
The Narrative is also completely different in the book, but that isn't excactly a problem. If the film were narrated the way the book was, it would have been a disaster. The writers have done a good job there.
Conclusion
The fact of the matter is that I can't really blame the writers for these above inconsistencies. Cloud Atlas is a very unconventional, experimental work of literature. The fact that this project got picked up by Warner and got the budget that it did ( 100 million $ ) amazes me. The consolation is that, we are going to get an amazing film regardless. Cloud Atlas WILL be one of the landmark films of this decade
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I recommend you slim down the title a bit. It's too long. Otherwise an interesting review.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ill try put a sub title if possible.
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