Benedict Cumberbatch stars as code breaker Alan Turing.
Pay attention.
When Benedict Cumberbatch tells you to do something, you obey. And it is his quiet authority that first draws us into the oddly charming world of Alan Turing.
The plot jumps between three timelines, which may sound confusing but is actually pivotal for providing insight into the mind of Turing. Cumberbatch makes fantastic use of each time zone to show the development and changes that Turing endured in a believable and often heartbreaking way.
This is not a film aimed at idolising Turing. He is shown as unsociable, awkward; and no, it’s no endearing. For the romantics among us, Kiera Knightley as Joan Clarke provides an insight into a more compassionate Turing, but it is secondary to his genius of creating a code breaking machine.
The Imitation Game is based on a story that is fairly widely known, especially after Turing was posthumously pardoned recently for his conviction for homosexuality. However, the dramatisation coupled with some fantastic acting creates a wonderful perspective to the story.
This film seems to have arrived at a time when us film lovers seem to have a passion for real life stories being projected on the big screen. This film is in great company with such films as Dallas Buyers Club and The Theory of Everything. A little bit of triumph and a little bit of sadness are sometimes all we need to relate to a film that otherwise would mean nothing to us.
If you’re still in need of some more persuading to grab this on DVD, this inspirational quote from the film should be just what you’re looking for:
“Sometimes, it’s the people no one imagines anything of that do the things no one can imagine.”
For anyone interested in finding out more, you can visit Bletchley Park where most of the film was set. There’s a whole lot of history there if watching the film inspires you to discover more.
The Imitation Game is released on DVD in the UK on the 9th March.
Rating: 3.5/5
Cast:
Benedict Cumberbatch – Alan Turing
Kiera Knightley – Joan Clarke
Matthew Goode – Hugh Alexander
Charles Dance – Commander Denniston
Alex Lawther – Young Alan Turing
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