The Imitation Game
The Imitation Game
(2014)
A Review by Grant Kanigan
Directed by: Morten Tyldum
Written by: Graham Moore, based on
Andrew Hodges' book
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley,
Matthew Goode, Mark Strong
Rating: PG
Release Date: December 25th, 2014
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| Keira Knightley, Mark Strong & Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game © 2014 - The Weinstein Company |
The Imitation Game works like the Enigma itself; told in a complex, fragmented narrative, à la Pulp Fiction, it's reminiscent of an equation; we see the end game, the beginning and a few parts in the middle. It's not until the end of the film do we see the sum of it's parts, and they add up to something wholly compelling, historically important, and socially relevant. Tydlum's film follows the life of Alan Turing beginning with his inception into the English army as WWII reaches a fever pitch. The British government is trying to crack the German Enigma machine, a complex encryption device that is nearly impossible to crack, as it resets itself every twenty four hours. When Turing offers his help, he's the British government's last hope. What follows are the trials and tribulations of Turing and his team as they try to crack the Enigma, each other and ultimately their own issues. Jumping from Turing's last days, to his cruel matriculation at a vicious English boarding school, to his work on his 'calculating machine' (which was technically the worlds first computer), The Imitation Game lives up to it's title. It's a façade, that represents Turing's real life, yet the thoroughness of the script and the capability of the actors give the illusion that what unfolds on screen is reality; and what a reality it was.
Homosexual at a time when such feelings were illegal and therefore punishable by law, Turing never fit into British society. Socially awkward and brilliant, Turing found himself misunderstood when it came to language, and so brilliant his mathematical mind forced him into intellectual obscurity in relation to his classmates. Turing was a complex intellect, equally funny, heartfelt and brutally blunt, truly a character foil for the mysterious Enigma; the enigmatic Alan Turing. Benedict Cumberbatch is similarly brilliant in his portrayal of the deeply passionate man. Putting on a voice different from his own yet never sounding like an impressionist, (*cough* Daniel Day Lewis *cough*), Cumberbatch becomes Turing. Expressing confusion and frustration through his movements and expressions, as well as his line delivery, this is one of the finest performances of the year. If he doesn't win the best actor Oscar this year, Cumberbatch at least deserves to be in the running. A final scene of Turing breaking down after losing his years of research, losing his best friend and being chemically castrated sees Cumberbatch losing it - his eyes swell, his speech stifles and his body collapses - Cumberbatch doesn't so much as act as Turing, he channels his very being. In a year full of cinematic surprises, the talent in the best actor pool this year is mind bogglingly transcendent. Cumberbatch has arrived.
Just like a championship quarterback needs a team to back them up, The Imitation Game's ensemble is brilliant. Keira Knightley, as Turing's confidant and mathematical partner Joan Clarke plays against type and is fantastic as a similarly socially awkward genius. The other high point is Mark Strong as MI6 agent Stewart Menzies. Delivering an avalanche of quotable and funny lines, Strong is typically solid. And yes, the film is funny; very funny. With more laughs than the average big budget comedy, this profoundly sad story of WWII's greatest hero is lifted above mediocrity through it's witty script that jumps from clever humour to calculus to human drama, without missing a beat. It's no wonder that the previous film director Morten Tylduym helmed was the visceral and labyrinthian Swedish-language thriller Headhunters. While there's little literal action here, the intellectual action is dazzling. Morten Tylduym is surely a director to watch in the years to come.
Overall, The Imitation Game is that rare cinematic beast that only appears a few times every fall. A perfect mix of passion, workmanship and a stranger than fiction storyline give birth to one of the most important, relevant and enjoyable films of the year. Don't miss it.
Homosexual at a time when such feelings were illegal and therefore punishable by law, Turing never fit into British society. Socially awkward and brilliant, Turing found himself misunderstood when it came to language, and so brilliant his mathematical mind forced him into intellectual obscurity in relation to his classmates. Turing was a complex intellect, equally funny, heartfelt and brutally blunt, truly a character foil for the mysterious Enigma; the enigmatic Alan Turing. Benedict Cumberbatch is similarly brilliant in his portrayal of the deeply passionate man. Putting on a voice different from his own yet never sounding like an impressionist, (*cough* Daniel Day Lewis *cough*), Cumberbatch becomes Turing. Expressing confusion and frustration through his movements and expressions, as well as his line delivery, this is one of the finest performances of the year. If he doesn't win the best actor Oscar this year, Cumberbatch at least deserves to be in the running. A final scene of Turing breaking down after losing his years of research, losing his best friend and being chemically castrated sees Cumberbatch losing it - his eyes swell, his speech stifles and his body collapses - Cumberbatch doesn't so much as act as Turing, he channels his very being. In a year full of cinematic surprises, the talent in the best actor pool this year is mind bogglingly transcendent. Cumberbatch has arrived.
Just like a championship quarterback needs a team to back them up, The Imitation Game's ensemble is brilliant. Keira Knightley, as Turing's confidant and mathematical partner Joan Clarke plays against type and is fantastic as a similarly socially awkward genius. The other high point is Mark Strong as MI6 agent Stewart Menzies. Delivering an avalanche of quotable and funny lines, Strong is typically solid. And yes, the film is funny; very funny. With more laughs than the average big budget comedy, this profoundly sad story of WWII's greatest hero is lifted above mediocrity through it's witty script that jumps from clever humour to calculus to human drama, without missing a beat. It's no wonder that the previous film director Morten Tylduym helmed was the visceral and labyrinthian Swedish-language thriller Headhunters. While there's little literal action here, the intellectual action is dazzling. Morten Tylduym is surely a director to watch in the years to come.
Overall, The Imitation Game is that rare cinematic beast that only appears a few times every fall. A perfect mix of passion, workmanship and a stranger than fiction storyline give birth to one of the most important, relevant and enjoyable films of the year. Don't miss it.
Grant's Rating: 5/5 Stars
Charles Dance & Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game "Let Me Try"
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