A sombre thriller-mystery with a Scandinavian backdrop, TGWTDT follows an unlikely duo who are hired by an old man to investigate the disappearance of his niece 40 years prior. Mikael, a disgraced journalist is joined by Lisbeth, an anti-social computer hacker as they uncover the family's many secrets and the evils that still lurk on the island. At times too bleak, the film would've benefited from more music to break it up a bit and there is an unforgettably strange scene involving Enya's Orinoco Flow. While there are plenty of twists and layers to unravel and the setting is interesting enough it also feels foreign throughout and this makes it difficult to connect with the characters. That said, since the mystery genre is under-represented these days and this is coupled with a satisfying story, it is easy to recommend this one for repeat viewing.
7.5/10
A fantasy-drama with a romantic, sci-fi feel to it, Cloud Atlas is a strange beast that overwhelms the viewer with 6 story-lines that span our past, present and future. The casting is massive and helps tremendously, so prepare to know almost everyone and to see them recycled in unrecognisable ways over the ages. I particularly enjoyed the freed-slave friendship and a clone named Somni's awakening story but there's something for everyone here. Short vignettes from each period invite you to explore the depths of the links between each story, to your own preference, and the heroic flow on of events over time is subtle and charming. The visuals are truly brilliant and while the soundtrack leans heavily on the Cloud Sextet, it binds their shared history together just nicely. My least favourite story was, funnily enough, the 'current' 2012 one but the oddly comedic, great escape for old people still had its merit. Buy it, watch it again and again and keep your mind open over the years.
10/10
