Cloud Atlas

What really stuck out to me as the large theme of this movie was how everything is connected.  From Ewing to Frobisher to Rey to Cavendish to Sonmi-451 and finally to Zachry and Meronym, the interplay of "souls" across time was extremely reminiscent of Buddhist philosophy.  Ewing's book acted as an influence on Frobisher's music and eventual Cloud Atlas sextet.  The story of Frobisher is then reawoken through findings of his letters to his lover Sixmith during Rey's journalistic digging.  At the end of her story she writes a book about Frobisher's life and the Cloud Atlas sextet.  The next story is of the publisher Cavendish.  After getting into trouble, he is seen reading Rey's book on Frobisher which hints at an influence on his life and eventual book on his adventures.  From here Cavendish's book/biopic film is seen by the clone Somni-451.  This leads to her being the proof that clones are equivalent to humans and shouldn't be treated as slaves (also connects back to slavery that had to do with the first story).  Before her ultimate demise Somni-451 is able to give a manifesto that reveals the truth.  The final story occurs in a post-apocolyptic world.  Zachry is part of a tribe that sees Somni as a holy figure.  Zachry ends up going with Meronym to the same broadcast center Somni used in order to send a message that ends up saving both of their lives and thus everything is connected.
    
I also saw a lot of examples of samsara in this movie.  The everyday suffering of life is present in each piece and is especially present when looking at all the desires each character has.  In addition, Tom Hanks playing two different characters made me think of the Buddhist/Hindu rebirth cycle. 

All in all I thought this movie was amazing.  I was captivated the whole time and it was exciting to be able to draw such connections to religion today as I watched it.