Ever felt as if you’ve been here before? That’s how some of the characters in 'Cloud Atlas' - now on general release - are feeling. From the 19th century to a post-apocalyptic future, the sci-fi film focuses on people who have six interlocking lives, each of which shows a different part of their personality. Through the years, the characters are reborn - some have surviving traits, others develop through the situations they face.
In 1849, Dr Goose (Tom Hanks) is working on a slave ship. Also on board is a young attorney, Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess). Goose sets out to kill him for the gold he’s carrying.
In 1973, ‘Goose’ is Isaac Sachs, a kind-hearted engineer at a nuclear plant. He discovers that his bosses are covering up a design fault in the reactor. He wants to do what’s right and leaks information to investigative journalist Luisa Rey (Halle Berry). He also finds himself falling in love with her.
They’ve been here before. Their paths crossed in 1849 when ‘Luisa’ was a downtrodden Maori slave working a plantation in the South Pacific.
Shortly after he falls for Luisa, the power company catches up with Sachs and has him killed.
By 2012, ‘Goose’ has re-emerged as the thuggish author ‘Dermot’ Hoggins. This is no Mr Nice Guy. After receiving a bad review of his latest book, in front of guests at a literary junket, Hoggins kills the critic who had the audacity to pan him. He briefly locks eyes with ‘Luisa’, who is one of the guests.
In their final instalment - now in 2346 - the pair are reunited. ‘Hoggins’ is now Zachry, a goatherd of a primitive tribe on post-apocalyptic Hawaii. ‘Luisa’ is Meronym. She comes from the Prescients, a more advanced community. She needs Zachry’s help to get to a safe location. She tells him that unless she can reach that place, the human race will die. Zachry has a decision to make.
It is easy to think that our actions don’t have a direct impact on those around us, but they do. A nasty comment can ruin someone’s day. A kind act can brighten it. Losing your temper can make a situation worse and not speaking up can do the same. But what about those decisions that can affect humanity?
Jesus had a crucial decision to make. He could choose to run from death or he could choose to carry out his God-given mission to die for a sinful world. Both would have a dramatic impact.
On the evening before he was crucified, Jesus agonised over the certain death that was to come. He spoke with God about it. He then made his decision: ‘Not as I will,’ he prayed, ‘but as you will’ (Matthew 26:39 New International Version). By following God’s plan for his life, the sinless Jesus was crucified, buried and raised so that our sin could be forgiven and we could experience a life that never ends - eternal life.
This leaves us with a decision to make. Do we believe Jesus died so that we can be forgiven and put right with God? And, if so, will we allow his life to change ours?
UK & Ireland War Cry February 2013
Photo credit: ©Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
