Cloud Atlas is cinematic literature: Tom Hanks

Film explores the interconnectedness of the human race with Hanks playing six different roles.

NEW DELHI:

Hollywood’s versatile actor Tom Hanks, who plays six different characters in Cloud Atlas, terms the film “cinematic literature”. He also admits that making the transition from one character to another was a challenge for him.

The story of the film, which released Friday, spans 500 years and explores the interconnectedness of the human race. It is an epic story of mankind in which the actions and consequences impact one another throughout the past, present and future.

It also features actors Halle Berry and Hugh Grant.

“The film runs into many years. And the transition is so smooth. Each story is so swiftly connected with the other. But there were a couple of challenges too, like change from one character to the other,” Hanks told IANS in an email interview from Los Angeles.

A lot of work went into giving each character an authentic look. “There was a lot of make-up detailing that all of us had to go through during the shoot. Like we used prosthetic noses, wore wigs and a lot of make-up,” Hanks said.

His latest release has been helmed by three directors — Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer — and the actor feels all three have turned a complex movie into a great watch.

“Everyone I spoke to about this story said, ‘Oh my God! Six stories’. As if rules have never been broken before. Andy, Lana and Tom have broken some rules in every one of their movies. They are fabulous,” the 56-year-old said.

“When you watch this movie, you will not need to come with a pencil and take down notes to understand it. It is the work of these three directors that make this complex movie a great watch. It was absolutely fantastic and amazing working with them,” Hanks added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2012.

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