The Imitation Game

 

In three words; Intelligent - Enigmatic - Vacant
Review;

The Imitation Game chronicles the life of Alan Turing. A man of intelligence, dignity and ambition. As part of a code breaking team during World Ward Two Turning and a team of colleagues helped to crack the devilishly brilliant Enigma machine in order for allied forces to obtain intelligence from the German's. It is said their work shortened the war by several years. Yet their importance in the war effort couldn't be reported or discussed for many years to come in accordance to national security.

Turing's life is the main focus of the film, there are many other worthy candidates in which to make a film about from the team at Bletchley Park, the code breaking centre of British Intelligence, yet Alan Turing's story is one which sticks out from the rest.

Turing was a homosexual at a time when (ridiculously) it was a crime. This therefore adds another dynamic to the story. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the computer scientist with vigour if not sometimes over doing Turing's idiosyncrasies at times. Nevertheless Cumberbatch seems an obvious fit for this role and appears comfortable and honest in his delivery of a well put together script.

He is accompanied by a cracking supporting cast of Rory Kinnear, Charles Dance, Mark Strong and most notably Keira Knightly. She plays Joan Clarke who was Turing's colleague and confidante. There is some excellent dialogue between the two characters which adds personal importance to the film. It's fantastic to see that Cumberbatch and Knightly have received Oscar nominations for their roles. Particular Knightly who I feel is all too often overlooked and over criticised. Unfairly on many occasions.

The film is directed by Norwegian Morten Tyldum who in 2011 brought to the screen Jo Nesbo's brilliant Headhunters. This is Tyldum's first English speaking film and he has certainly done a fine job. What the film lacks is difficult to describe, the acting is brilliant, the screenplay spot on and the direction and cinematography works perfectly. Yet this isn't a film that will stay with you, it's been ticked off the list of films to watch, added to the memory banks in the grey matter but it's not a film I'm going to rush out to watch again.


Verdict;
3 out of 5