Cloud Atlas, was one of the most marginal stories ever used for a movie. I woke up at the half-way point and just gave up. It might have been a great book....but it’s a loser when converted to a movie.
I’ll even throw in another movie....Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind...which was so weird, and suddenly tied itself up in the last five minutes. I ended up having to watch it a second time, and realized all the hints along the way.
I’ve heard that is the case with Cloud Atlas. You have to watch it more than once.
Interesting side story: We have not had TV since 1997. When I saw Cloud Atlas at Redbox I’d never head of it. I Assumed it was a B movie but was pleasantly surprised. And the colored* girl in it was pretty cute and I was surprised to see tom hanks.
*or girl of color if you prefer