the imitation game
2015 review number 14:
The Imitation Game: (Drama/Thriller): 69 out of 100: It looks like I have gone against the flow of glowing reviews with this movie. I went in with very high expectations after reading the excellent reviews and hearing from some people about how much they loved the movie. Although solid in most aspects, this is not the classic or masterpiece that many people have claimed it to be. Before I am ridiculed for my stance, let me provide some reasons why I wasn't totally enthralled with the overall result of the movie.
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, a mathematician during World War II who tries to crack the enigma code. He receives help from fellow mathematicians at Bletchley Park where they race against the clock to prevent further allied deaths and casualties. Keira Knightley plays his 'love' interest Joan Clarke even though deep down he knows that he can't love her as he is gay. We see the events transpire in a non-linear order, with scenes from his childhood, the main scenes involving the enigma code and his struggles with the authorities when they wish to persecute him during the early 1950s.
Cumberbatch delivers a knockout performance as Turing and thoroughly deserves his Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He has a rich and clear speaking voice which he uses to great effect in his role as the troubled mathematician. Knightley is solid without being totally dominant as his 'love' interest. It's actually a surprise that she is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
The main reason why I have not given "The Imitation Game" the excellent status that most reviewers have bestowed it is the fact that the scenes involving the cracking of the enigma code are not as thrilling as they should be. I just felt there was little tension in these scenes. Turing should have been an inspirational character but I didn't feel inspired by his feats at all. Some of the scenes particularly the one in the pub come across as trite and formulaic. Also, the torment that he must have gone through while being hunted for his homosexuality was given short shrift. I wanted more of this detailed in the plot and felt this was just added to make the audience sympathise with the character. It's not the powerful and intense film that it could have been.
The era has been recreated well through its costume and production design. You can definitely see the authenticity in the visuals. Alexandre Desplat must also be commended for his lush music score. He is one of the better composers currently working in the movie industry.
I really wanted to enjoy "The Imitation Game" more than I did. I guess sometimes that happens when you enter the cinema with very high expectations. It's still a solid film although I wouldn't have awarded it with eight Oscar nominations. I do suggest though that you see the film yourself to make up your own mind for it's the type of film that creates discussion. Was enough attention paid to his later life when he was being persecuted? Could the movie solely focused on the cracking of the enigma code to make the story more exciting and thrilling? These are just some of the questions you could ask yourself during and after the movie.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode
(114 minutes)
Parental advice: Adult themes
Additional scene during or after credits: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5CjKEFb-sM (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Wednesday 28th January, 2015)
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