Review of Cloud Atlas Screenplay by the Wachowskis and Tykwer

I've taken it upon myself to read more screenplays and watch the movies. I suppose I'm becoming even more of a film geek than before. In a few weeks I will start a screenwriting class as part of my creative writing degree. I'm looking forward to it. Anyway I decided to read the screenplay to Cloud Atlas, than watch the film. In this blog I will make some comments about the screenplay only.

This was one of the longer screenplays that I have read. The total length of the screenplay in the book I borrowed from the library was 197 pages. It was also one of the more complex screenplays that I've read. At some points the language and vocabulary were difficult. It wasn't totally beyond me, it was just a little challenging. Especially since it changes time periods, locations, and characters frequently it is not as easy to follow. I showed this film in my Cinema and Digi class as an example of non-linear editing/story construction. If the class I will probably show it again.

The changes in dialect and the non-linear structure make the screenplay challenging, but some of the setting description and camera directions are pure poetry. I was engrossed in the script for about 3 hours on Sunday night. I ate dinner then was confronted by a choice; read the Cloud Atlas screenplay or watch the Yankees and Red Sox play. I chose the former. I had already seen the film so my visual imagination only thought of the actors and scenes from the film. I thought to myself while reading the screenplay what would it be like to read a screenplay that hasn't been made into a movie?

The movie follows the script to a tee. There is very little diversion from the script. Perhaps that is because the Wachowskis and Tykwer also directed the film. In most of the scripts I've read and watched the film there are some omissions or minor changes. Not in Cloud Atlas, what is written is what is shot. In today's film industry that is a rarity. Most scripts are heavily manipulated and in most cases more than one screenwriter works on the script.

I really learned a lot by reading the script. It was challenging. It was long, complex, but engrossing and entertaining. I have made a request to get the screenplay for V for Vendetta another Wachowski film. Looking forward to it.