The Imitation Game (2014) User Reviews

That 'The Imitation Game' was so acclaimed is hardly an enigma at all

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 29 August 2017]

Alan Turing was a fascinating, complex person who deserves to be better known to the world. Likewise his story is important and deserves to be told rather than forgotten. Had high hopes for 'The Imitation Game', after hearing so many good things about it, and it ended up being one of my favourite films of 2014.

That 'The Imitation Game' is historically inaccurate and has distortions didn't offend me as much as some reviewers, biographical dramas are notorious for this so it's come to be expected by me (not that that is meant to be an excuse). All that was wanted was a film that made me think, moved me, was well made and well acted. 'The Imitation Game' was all those things and more.

It isn't perfect, the political elements are on the preachy side and there are a few strands that could have gone into more detail, Turing's sexuality should have gotten into more depth than it was.

However, 'The Imitation Game' is exceptionally well made. It's immaculately photographed and has some of the best production design of its best, especially in the costumes. The direction allows the film to be absorbing, while the music score is often hauntingly beautiful and never intrusive.

In terms of the script, 'The Imitation Game' does a wonderful job in provoking thought and providing emotional impact and nuances and fleshes the characters out with remarkable complexity. What could have been potentially dry treatment of the subject matter turned out to be fascinating, thrilling and very moving.

Benedict Cumberbatch gives his best performance of a very solid career, an outstanding portrayal that won't be forgotten for years to come. Keira Knightley is a sympathetic confidante and Charles Dance is excellent as always as his superior. The supporting cast are without complaint.

Overall, wonderful film and its acclaim is a long way from an enigma. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The Turing Test

[paulatyeo · 9/10 · 15 November 2014]

Alan Turing, Mathematician, Logician, Wartime Codebreaker and father of Computer Science. A great British Hero. A great hero in the fight against prejudice.

This film tackles themes of prejudice against the feminine, against homosexuality and more generally against anyone who is different. How? By simply pointing out, using the example of Alan Turing and his colossal achievements, that it takes someone different to do something amazing.

And an amazing story it is, packaged in a beautifully tight screenplay without a wasted scene, that keeps the audience fully engaged throughout. All the cast are on top form, in orbit around a stellar performance by Benedict Cumberbatch that layers humour, complexity, sexuality and the palpable frustration of a brilliant mind not quite able to communicate with his fellow humans.

A film that depicts a man who perhaps fails the test he invented, that is now named after him. The Turing Test. Can he fool you that he is a real human being and not a super intelligent machine? The stress of playing that Imitation Game is set into every micro twitch of the central character.

Should you go see it? No special effects. No interstellar spaceships. Why not wait for the download?

Go see it! Because otherwise you would be missing the chance to see a most remarkable film, performed to perfection. A film about a story that matters, about events that changed history and simply about a man without whom you might not even be able to read this review on your Turing machine.

Compelling and Enthralling from start to finish.

[fruitbat00 · 10/10 · 16 October 2014]

Truly excellent film and definitely Ocsar worthy material for both the film and the actors. The entire cast are amazing.

As Cumberbatch says near the start of the film "are you paying attention". You should pay attention, Alan Turing deserves your attention, his story deserves to be told.

I went to see this at the London Film Festival last week and I am going to be one of the first ones in the cue to see it when it comes out next month. It is an excellently paced and executed script that has you gripped from beginning to end. The whole audience were laughing and applauding and crying in places, including the man next to me who had to borrow a hankie from his wife.

The film switches between the drive of the team of code breakers to solve the Enigma code, young Alan Turing and the events after the war that destroyed his life.

It is truly heartbreaking in places, and Benedict Cumberbatch's performance as Alan Turing is outstanding. He really deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance.

It has been a very, VERY long time since I enjoyed a film so much, that when I came out of the Cinema I wanted to turn right round and go back in and watch it again. A lovely script that had you switching back and forwards between tears and laughter.

I know some wanted a more in depth and in detail look at Alan Turing's life and have commented frequently that this does no focus enough on his sexuality or the events after the war.

In this case I think less is more, this film highlights the man and the mind. It shows us the genius that was destroyed by a society that was seriously homophobic. It brings to life the man behind the facts and we laugh at his interactions with his fellow code breakers and cheer as he proves his theories and our hearts break as we watch him try to cope after his court case.

One of the best films I have seen in a long time. Go and see judge for yourself.

Morten Tyldum's espionage thriller about Alan Turing is purely sensational with a performance for the ages by Benedict Cumberbatch...

[ClaytonDavis · 10/10 · 10 September 2014]

It took a little over 24 hours before I weighed in on my official thoughts on Morten Tyldum's The Imitation Game from The Weinstein Company. My initial reaction upon leaving the screening room was it was astonishing, a magnificent achievement that stands tall as one of the year's best movies. As the film continues to settle within my cinematic soul, this very well could be the best film of the year, anchored by a career best performance from the amazing Benedict Cumberbatch.

Full disclosure, I'm fairly oblivious to European history and the heroes that had a hand in one of the deadliest wars in history. I've heard the name Alan Turing from high school and college but either didn't care enough to learn or have no recollection of his contributions. Minutes following the screening, Amazon.com got $15.82 from my bank account in order to read "Alan Turing: The Enigma," the book in which screenwriter Graham Moore based the story upon. Telling the story of Alan Turing, a mathematician who in 1939 led a pioneer in cracking one of the most difficult codes in history. His contributions paved the way for essentially the way we exist now. However, Turing, who is a homosexual, has to wrestle with his secret in order to keep his status and his work years later.

Masterfully told and encompassing an emotional complexity, Tyldum's film is both engrossing and disturbing. It has genius aspirations in which it wants to exist in the cinematic world. It's an impeccable thriller, taut and brilliant, exploring the horrors of war along with the choices that doom mankind for all eternity. Tyldum is methodical and precise in which he decides to unravel the story, Turing is one of the fallen heroes of our history and his story stands as one of the most tragic. Screenwriter Moore crafts a murky, dark, yet totally enjoyable spy film that stands taller than any James Bond film ever released. It's a sure-fire Oscar contender for several Academy Awards including Best Picture. They should feel so lucky to have the gumption to choose something this methodical and majestic.

Benedict Cumberbatch continues to climb the ladder as one of the best actors working today. After impressive performances August: Osage County, 12 Years a Slave, and TV's "Sherlock," this is the role that will make him a bonafide movie star. Oscar-winner or not, this will be looked upon like the greats such as Gene Hackman in The French Connection or any legendary 70's movie that you love today. Cumberbatch hones in on all of Turing's character flaws and good qualities that make him a real person. He constructs him from the toes up, inflicting mannerisms and behaviors that all ring true. He stimulates all the sensual beats that keep us fixated on a performance. I can't help but go back to someone like Joaquin Phoenix in The Master, who delivered a construction of epic proportions. Though based on a real person, the talented Cumberbatch ignites his own masterpiece performance. He follows the demons of Turing down to his bones. Unsure, arrogant, and dismissive to the world around him, Turing shows only what he must, what he chooses, and every once in a while, we get a front seat to his soul. Thank you Cumberbatch.

The rest of the cast is completely on their game. It's probably a contender for the SAG Ensemble prize. Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley, as the feisty and fiery Joan Clark, is as loose and comfortable as I've ever seen her. She wears Joan like an old coat from the back of the closet. Remembering it fondly and seeing that it fits just perfect. She has all the things that make up an Oscar nominee; a scene that will likely bring you to tears, plenty of scenes that play as the comic relief in a dark tale, and being simply charming in every part of the film.

I don't know when it's going to happen but the world needs to make Matthew Goode a mega-star. In his brief time on-screen, Goode makes his mark, becoming essentially a co-anchor with Knightley of the supporting players, showcasing a reason to give this guy his own leading role sooner rather than later. As our resident sleazy authority figure, Charles Dance shows that he's still got it. Mark Strong and Allen Leech also deliver memorable, fascinating scenes, both getting an opportunity to shine.

Technical merits are no shortage of excellence on display. Oscar- winning Editor William Goldenberg (Argo) shows that tension is his second language. Cutting the film to perfection, and forcing your heart into throat, this espionage thriller succeeds for general audiences because of Goldenberg's efforts. It's something that anyone can seek out and get fully immersed into. Alexandre Desplat tacks another impressive composition to his already thick resume. With films like The Grand Budapest Hotel already in his arsenal, I assume this to be another Oscar citation in his future. Shot by the talented Oscar Faura, responsible for painting the canvas that was J.A. Bayona's The Impossible, he utilizes the standard brilliance of capturing a moment. Knows when to pull back and get close. Let's not forget the Production and Costume Design by Maria Djurkovic and Sammy Sheldon Differ. Those two will surely be mentioned for the rest of the film year.

The Imitation Game is assertive and makes a serious claim as one of the best spy thrillers ever made. There are sub plots that all resonate and never feel forced. This will not only keep your tension level at a fever pitch but could leave you in tears to walk home with. It's a complete realistic view at the spy game that stands as one of the best films of the year and a performance for the ages from Benedict Cumberbatch. A captivating achievement that I'll likely remember for some time.

An Eminently Well-Made Biopic

[CalRhys · 4 December 2014]

Brilliant adaptation of the story of Bletchley Park and the cryptanalysis team, ran by Alan Turing, that cracked the code of the German Enigma Machine during World War II. Featuring an outstanding starring performance from Benedict Cumberbatch as war hero Turning and supporting acts from a brilliant cast including Keira Knightley, Charles Dance and Mark Strong, 'The Imitation Game' is a powerful and eminently well-made biopic that illuminates the facts whilst respecting the story it is based upon. The English-language debut of 'Headhunters' director Morten Tyldum, this British World War II thriller is a highly conventional story about humanity that creates a fascinating character, anchored by a hypnotically complex performance.

Brilliant performance

[danielmanson · 8/10 · 4 June 2021]

Whenever I watch films where it's based on a true story, I typically tend to not delve into the story itself and watch the film for its main purpose. Entertainment. I thought I'd quickly whack this in here, because I saw some negative reviews because it was a little bit inaccurate.

The film itself I thought was brilliant. It was a wonderful performance from Benedict (never used that word to describe acting before which speaks volumes) and he carried the film in the parts where not a lot was going on.

The plot itself was interesting and kept you in suspense throughout and it had great characters that were all likeable and kept you invested throughout!

My only real problem I had was that when they finally figured out the code, the film kind of dragged. All tension was gone from the film and you're left with 20 mins or so of just wrapping up stuff and dragging scenes on that didn't need to be, so I got a touch bored towards the end. But other than that it was a really enjoyable watch and for someone who wasn't really familiar with the true story I found it educational also, which is a nice bonus.

But yeah, it's definitely a film I'd recommend. 8/10 from me!

Hello Best Picture frontrunner. Consider me satisfied.

[Sergeant_Tibbs · 8/10 · 9 October 2014]

There is something appropriately mechanical about The Imitation Game. It has a theatrical rhythm and attention to detail that ticks like a clock. That's not to say that it's necessarily overly dry and hard to connect to, this biopic of the extraordinary and tragic mathematician and inventor of the digital computer, Alan Turing, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is emotionally engaging and utterly endearing. With a slick exquisite script and an eclectic ensemble strong enough to deliver, it's an accessible film that although may feel familiar, is thoroughly refreshing, bringing laughter, tears and thrills. It will undeniably be a huge contender at the big awards this season, perhaps going all the way.

Director Morten Tyldum's film follows Turing's journey to break the Enigma Code, the form in which the Germans communicated during WWII to conduct surprise attacks. He attempts it by building the first computer, a passion project of his that was frequently criticized for devoting so much Government time and money. He deals with a social ineptitude while also accepting his own homosexuality, which lead to unforgivable persecution and depression that caused Turing to take his own life. The film focuses on his life achievements rather than his demise, though it does explore that part of his life, if not illustrate it as much as it could have done.

It's easy to root for Turing, even if his arrogance and standoffishness repel the other characters. Benedict Cumberbatch is a real crowd pleaser here. I've only seen him in short supporting roles such as last year's August: Osage County and 12 Years A Slave and I'm certainly quite impressed, if not quite as astounded. There's a very rehearsed quality about his performance, similar to Anne Hathaway's Oscar winning turn in Les Miserables. Every stutter and nuance feels perfectly placed rather than organic. But this isn't necessarily a turn off, it fits the tone of the film. He could go all the way to the Oscar but it depends on buzz and the competition.

The highlight of the film is the writing by Graham Moore, adapted from Andrew Hodges novel 'Alan Turing: The Enigma.' It's not groundbreaking, but it has the right ingredients and the perfect recipe. Even if somehow it's the only film's nomination, it's still a frontrunner for the win in Adapted Screenplay. This will be a film known for 'ticking boxes,' but it does it in a way that all films should. It's economical without ever feeling like it's rushing or only scratching the surface. It constantly pummels the characters with adversity, presenting heart-wrenching moral dilemmas, particularly for Keira Knightley's Joan Clarke. It turns something complicated and bleak quite lighthearted, especially with the casual approach to war outside of moments of justified despair.

Knightley will certainly get awards attention for her fine supporting role as Turing's counterpart. Her role may not be as meaty, lacking the highs and lows Cumberbatch has, but she makes the most of her relative sparing use, becoming the heart of the film. Thanks to her, their relationship is completely believable, given that Turing is a man who struggles with connecting to people, and the way she manages the choices her character is set upon is dealt with deft conviction. Charles Dance, Mark Strong and especially Matthew Goode are commanding side presences who bolster the film's charm. The titular 'imitation game' is essentially the Replicant test from Blade Runner, something Turing has practiced on himself. However, all the characters are human here, if with a confidence you only find in the movies.

Instead of a linear structure, the film chooses flashbacks to flesh out the full story of Turing. It does seem a little extraneous to go back to school with him, but fortunately the focus of their objectives and the performances of the young actors make them worthwhile, as well as showing the origin of something that changed the world as we know it. The scale is further expanded with newsreel footage and scenes of the world at war, even if the special effects are relatively primitive compared to what can be achieved these days though that doesn't hold the film back as such. It's very easy to get suckered into films that convince you that you're watching one man change the world and The Imitation Game achieves that effortlessly.

Although it's dense in character and plot, The Imitation Game flashes more on the surface than it has to offer beneath. Kinetic energy in the editing brings an instant gratification, especially in the edge of your seat sequences. There are liberties with the tone for such a somber event and protagonist that most likely doesn't reflect the honest emotions involved, but obviously it's easier to digest for audience. I was unsure at first, but then it had me under its spell. This also may be Alexandre Desplat's best bet at finally winning an Oscar. It adds to that whimsical cinematic tone, almost reminiscent on his work on Harry Potter sans the magic. It will certainly be warmly embraced in the mainstream. The film is poignant, but not powerful. Entertaining, but not enlightening.

I'm content calling this the Best Picture frontrunner until further notice. The film feels like a combination of Argo, with the secrets and the camaraderie of the unit, and The King's Speech, with its Britishness and charming partnerships. It depends whether the Academy fall for the ambition of Christopher Nolan's Interstellar or the Chariots of Fire + The Bridge on the River Kwai formula of Angelina Jolie's Unbroken. Either way, The Imitation Game will belong amongst the most deserving winners, but the test of time remains to be seen. It's not like it'll be alone in that group. Nevertheless, with Queen Elizabeth II's pardon for Turing last year, there's never been a better time to educate the masses on his legacy that we use everyday.

8/10

edit: guess it isn't. Oh well. Boyhood and Birdman are better anyway.

Fine acting but an highly inaccurate story

[Qrobur · 6/10 · 1 January 2015]

The story of the breaking of the German ciphers during WWII is a significant one, deserving of an accurate telling. The story of Alan Turing, a key member of the team that developed the methods and machines that broke those ciphers is an important one, also deserving of an accurate telling.

"The Imitation Game" is neither of these films. The story told by this film is watchable, Cumberbatch renders Turing sympathetically and, somewhat to my surprise, Knightley takes the thinly written role of Joan Clarke and turns it into something with a fair bit of heft. However, this film's story takes such liberties with the facts that it really cannot be recommended. This is *not* how the German ciphers were broken and it is not even a reasonable depiction of Turing's life, particularly so when it comes to the atrocious way he was treated after the war.

You will not find Harold Keen or Gordon Welchman in this film, the writers preferring to insinuate that Turing was wholly responsible for the design and building of the bombe machines (except that Hugh Alexander is credited with the idea for improving their working that was actually Welchman's). However, you will find a Soviet spy in Turing's hut when in fact he did not work there. I could go on and list other inaccuracies.

If you are unaware of the stories of Enigma and Turing, you may find this a quite interesting film to watch. If you are aware of these stories I think you may find it difficult to swallow the gross misrepresentations of both.

I consider that filmmakers, when depicting real people or events, have a responsibility to tell the truth and not distort things simply for dramatic effect. When this responsibility is ignored the filmmakers have decided to, in effect, spread lies in the name of entertainment. "The Imitation Game" may be entertaining but it makes this dismal mistake and cannot be recommended.

An instant classic

[HoverDonkey · 9/10 · 8 October 2014]

A movie which oozes Britishness from every frame, The Imitation Game is an instant classic. Wartime Britain is depicted vividly, if a little caricatured, with an autumnal palette and a jaunty air.

A true story, sympathetically told, with good performances all round and a stand-out Turing from the indefatigable Mr Cumberbatch. The young Turing is also extremely well realised by Alex Lawther.

Meandering through Alan Turing's life since school until shortly before his death, the script demands your attention and regularly makes you smile.

Highly recommended.

The best British movie I've saw in a long time!

[darrin-reay · 10/10 · 21 October 2014]

I went to see this movie at a screening. I have to admit, I went into this movie not knowing anything about Alan Turing and Enigma, but I love movies based on true events; especially those about the history of our country.

Despite not knowing anything about Mr. Turing or the events of his life, as soon as I left the movie theater, I went home and looked him up and spent the next few hours learning of his life, everything he did for this country and the invention of what we now call 'the computer'.

I want to start by saying that Benedict Cumberbatch in this movie is outstanding. He plays Alan Turing perfectly; his accent, his movements and just the way he plays the character on screen is beautiful. I can honestly say that this is the performance of his career!

The movie focuses on different aspects of his life: it shows him and his team trying to break Enigma, it shows Young Turing during his time at boarding school, and the events after the war.

There's a quote at the beginning of the movie: "are you paying attention?". Throughout the movie, that's what I did. It's all that I could do because the story and the acting kept my eyes glued to the screen and I couldn't take them away. It's emotional, it's exciting and it is truly heartbreaking in some moments. It was a very comedic movie, too. There were some scenes that had me in fits of laughter and that's what makes it a beautiful script; despite the movie being based on the darkest days of World War 2, they added comedy into it which brought the movie alive.

I remember getting home and after researching Alan's life, I wanted to go back to the cinema and watch the movie again. It's rarely that happens to me but when this comes out in November, I will be straight to the cinema and purchasing a ticket to watch it.

I've heard reviewers mentioning that this film doesn't focus enough on Turing's homosexuality. Now, be that as it may, it focus' enough on the subject. Remember: this movie is about his mind, about the man himself. He was a genius!

This is the best British movie that I've saw in a long time, and it's probably one of the best movies that I've ever had the pleasure of watching, period.

I would recommend going to watch this movie when it comes out because it will take you into the world of Mr. Turing and the struggles and successes he made in his short life.

Excellent

[eventonemedia · 9/10 · 3 November 2014]

This is THE movie for anyone who wants to learn about the birth of all modern computing and cryptography. It also provides a deep commentary on the ignorance of people who hate those who do not fit in. I wish the film could have gone into more detail about Alan Turing after the war when his deepest personal struggles were in full force. However, for a theatrical film it would have been far too long. This film illustrates how far we have come as a society in terms of accepting gay and lesbians and their contributions to society. I will not spoil the film but for the cypherpunks out there you will be a little uneasy if you compare the MI-6 tactics to those of today's NSA and other three letter agencies that spy on our every digital move. All in all a brilliant film with great actors that will move your hearts and minds.

An Imitation of LIFE... One of the Most Outrageous Cases of Injustice Ever Brought to the Screen

[Tony-Kiss-Castillo · 10/10 · 16 January 2022]

In a Perfect World...Nothing Like what occurs in Imitation Game could have ever happened. As this review is being written, the Presentation of this year´s Oscars is but a scant couple of hours away!

It is very easy to understand why Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the front-runners for Best Actor. As Alan Turing, a Cambridge professor who was anything but SIMPATICO, the British actor manages to inspire a great deal of audience empathy for a character who, had he been represented by a different actor, probably would not have been able to establish such a solid viewer connection!....

Now, under no circumstances, does my review purport to claim the film is 100% accurate as to every detail depicted! Of course not! Any cinematic endeavor is, by definition, a dramatazation of the events.

Certainly... IMITATION is no exception! It is a story that is INSPIRED by real events. Not intended to be taken in as a DOCUMENTARY!

As to the lead character´s faults or his sexuality, almost anyone who sees this film would testify as to its rather low key presentation and that is definitely rather discreet, by 21st Century standards! IMITATION... At least as far as I could see, seemed, more than anything else, rather taut and extremely entertaining! After all, isn´t that the essence of what CINEMA is SUPPOSED to be all about???

10**********... A truly rewarding and outstanding Film!

This movie was masterfully done.

[Prabhuraj · 12 May 2019]

Great film about a not so well known part of WWII, Benedict Cumberbatch is excellent. I really liked this movie. it was pretty interesting to watch. One of the best movies I have ever seen.

The Ingenious Genius

[carl-pinnick · 9/10 · 10 November 2014]

This is a story about a saviour. An un-sung hero of World War II; Alan Turing, a genius British mathematician who secretly worked tirelessly to decode the German 'Enigma' code within the now famous Hut 8 of Bletchley Park. Remarkably, his breakthroughs in cryptography and technological achievements are still realized today in the form of 'Turing Machines' – to me and you, these are now called computers.

We first meet Alan after the events of World War II within the confines of an interrogation room, here accused of the then indecency of his homosexuality. It is here we are transported into Alan's world, where when questioned about his work at Bletchley Park does he oblige, peeling back the seemingly cold-blooded, narcissistic veneer with a detailed narrative on his work, leading a team of linguists, mathematicians and problem solvers.

Alan's clinical, precise and unrelenting witty focus to achieve the impossible begins to alienate his team mates and superiors, which ultimately creates a rift in support of Alan's grand plans to build a cutting-edge machine to help decipher the infamous German code. It is here we see the real Alan – the exposed Alan, in which his absolute genius forgoes his interpersonal skill set. This is a challenge in itself for Alan to embark upon, and it's a real heart- warming treat to watch how his relationships develop with his peers to an ultimate conclusion of sacrifice, friendship and mutual respect. Benedict Cumberbatch ultimately lays bare the man that Alan Turing was; a real man of warmth and soul that the numerous writings and texts after Alan's death in 1954, fails to capture.

For a man who struggles with his words of affection toward others, we observe his capacity for compassion when he meets fellow mathematician Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley), who herself is struggling with social hierarchy and her place as a woman in the 1940s on Alan's secretive team. It is not long before we see the genius of her work as she proves not only to play a pivotal role in the collaboration to break the 'Enigma' but she also provides Alan with moral guidance and support through his time working alongside her at Bletchley Park.

It is apparent by the film's sombre conclusion that the somewhat brief and seemingly convenient engagement to Joan actually had a profound impact in Alan's life. Kiera Knightley's portrayal of Joan Clarke is certainly her most refreshingly spunky performance of late, bringing emotional weight to the tale of Alan Turing. She is essentially the yin to his yang and not for Alan's choice of sexuality (itself illegal in the mid-1900s), would they be the perfect team and companion for one another. It's delightful but ultimately fateful to watch on screen as the story begins to unfold and race towards its conclusion.

It is fitting that the breakthrough in cracking the German's code comes courtesy of an epiphany of love – sometimes love makes us do things we don't always intend.

It is emotionally trying to see the eventual outcome of Alan and his teams' work at Bletchley Park be ultimately foreshadowed by the politics and implications of Alan's homosexuality.

Based on the book; Alan Turing: The Enigma, by Andrew Hodges, Director Morten Tyldum makes his English language debut here with none of the frantic mania that came with Headhunters, but with a more structured and methodical approach that flits between Alan's youth, middle-age and his work during World War II.

The screenplay by Graham Moore is crafted with beautiful complexity and precision, gleefully layering in key events from Alan's life, compounding the reality of his tragic end – the relentless bullying at boarding school, his fondness of a fellow student that ultimately ends in tragedy, the constant pressure of hundreds if not thousands of lives lost every day, the discovery of a Russian double agent embedded within Hut 8, all whilst bearing the weight of the consequences of his sexuality, itself the focus of an investigation after the fact in the 1950s in an attempt by a keen detective (played by Rory Kinnear) to act on a Policeman's hunch, after investigating a reported break-in of Alan's place of residence.

The simple but terrific score by Alexandre Desplat elevates the emotive narrative; and compounds into reality, the harsh realisation of war.

The Imitation Game is the perfect platform in which to showcase the true acting chops of Benedict Cumberbatch in a performance that will remain very memorable indeed and a highlight of his career – a front runner for the Best Actor gong for sure. The best of British cast, including Kiera Knightly, Mark Strong and Charles Dance all prove to be very able in their supportive roles, not forgetting Alex Lawther in his breakthrough role of young Alan Turing also doing fine work here.

Whilst not absolute perfection on all accounts – some pacing issues mid-way through; and jarring usage of CGI depicting sequences on the front line aside, this is clearly a passion project of everyone involved, and one that I can firmly say that without a doubt was very interesting, surprising and emotionally engaging to watch. If this film brings the story of Alan Turing (and rightfully so) to the masses, then I'm in full support. You should be too.

Read more film reviews and features online at: https://carlpinnick.journoportfolio.com

Disappointingly inaccurate

[ed-414 · 8/10 · 30 April 2015]

Good film, would have been an excellent film. However the shockingly re-writing of history and the glaring movement from fact to fiction rather took the edge off it for me.

Might as well have changed the character names as well. Should have had the disclaimer any resemblance to actual events and persons very slim.

At the end of the film you have the feeling that the film has been adapted to fulfil clichés. The computer is re named christopher and we are meant to think that this is representing Alan Turing lost love!

Why, oh why could it not have been closer to reality. At the end of the day it leaves you with the slight feeling that you have been conned.

Well-made, but enragingly inaccurate

[massimilianofoschi · 6/10 · 30 September 2022]

Let me start this review off by saying that the movie is mostly good. Cumberbatch has been able to show his acting skills and Knightley is great in her supporting role. The historical inaccuracies, however, are unforgivable.

It is completely understandable that a movie based on a true story has to, in part, fictionalise some events, in order to be more exciting or moving. But what the filmmakers failed to understand, in this case, is just how extraordinary Turing's life was. Does one really need to distort the life of the man who created modern computer science as we know it and who was one of the most impactful people in the second world war?

This movie is filled with inaccuracies from beginning to end. For example, Joan Clark wasn't hired with a crossword on a newspaper, the machine was never called "Christopher", Turing never hid his sexual orientation and there never was any reciprocal love with his friend Christopher Morcom. Many others can be found on the IMDb page. Most of these mistakes are relatively minor by themselves, but the sheer number of them feels manipulative in the extreme.

The most blatant one, however, is the depiction of Turing as lacking social skills. In fact, most people who had the opportunity of working with him regarded him as a sociable man with a good sense of humour. Why did they have to portray him according to the typical Hollywoodian cliché of the mathematician? If, for any reason, a filmmaker believes that a socially inept protagonist is more compelling, then they should tell a fictional story, instead of abusing an actual lived experience to push a stereotypical image.

I will give "The Imitation Game" credit for telling an important story and, if you want to see a well-crafted drama set during the second world war, watch this movie, by all means. But if you'd like to discover more about Turing's life, please just read more about him. To think that Turing's impact hasn't been recognised for decades and what made him known to a wide audience is a woefully inaccurate movie is saddening. Sorry Alan, you deserved better.

The Enigmatic Man

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 1 April 2015]

The British Official Secrets act prevented me as a kid growing up about Alan Turing. I would certainly have liked to know about him in my formative years on many levels. Over a 100 years after his birth he's a role model for gay geeks everywhere, but in his lifetime he would not have been known beyond his field of Mathematics.

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the enigmatic man Alan Turing who many consider the founder of computer science. He was also a tortured gay man in those days when sodomy laws were strictly enforced. A respected professor of Mathematics he volunteers for the war effort. Not satisfied with how codebreaking efforts were going he goes right to the top and the sheer brass and effrontery persuade Winston Churchill to put this man in charge.

I doubt Winston Churchill knew much more about what Alan Turing was talking about than I would now. But sometimes genius will out in just the way it's presented. I only wish we had gotten to see Churchill's reaction to Turing's now famous letter.

As we well know now with what has been declassified how Turing and his picked crew broke the Nazi code and with some well used and specific intelligence at propitious moments we were able to win the war in Europe. Part of that crew is Keira Knightley who wins a battle for feminism to be accepted in this all male bastion.

Keira and Ben's scenes have some real emotion to them. He confesses he's gay and she would still like to marry him as fascinated as she is by his sheer intellect. Cumberbatch made the right decision as so many gay men today still make the wrong one. He decides that marriage will just spread the heartache he has in not being able to live openly and proudly with whom he loves. For her role Keira Knightley got an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

When different players play the same individual at different stages of life I've thought that some recognition is due. In flashback scenes to Turing's prep school days we see the understated but beautifully played romantic involvement of Alex Lawther as young Turing and Jack Bannon as Christopher Morcum. Those two juveniles are nothing short of magnificent in what they do with the part. Young Morcum's death while still in prep school was a secret heartache he carried for the rest of his life.

The Imitation Game got several other Oscar nominations including Best Picture and took home one Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The saddest thing about Alan Turing is that he's one of a handful of people who ever existed of whom it could be said he bent the course of history and in his life he could receive no recognition for it. In fact we do see what did happen to him post World War II. Now his nation and the world can appreciate him for what he was and what he did.

Perhaps the best biopic you will ever see

[seancram · 10/10 · 7 January 2016]

During World War II, the Nazis used a complex coded communication method that reset every 24 hours, making it seemingly impossible to decode. Alan Turing, a socially-handicapped Cambridge professor and legitimate genius, led a team of brilliant mathematicians whose mission was to crack the code and win the war. The Imitation Game is sure to become a classic in the coming years, as it's one of the best biopics you will ever see.

Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC's Sherlock) knocks it out of the park with his highest profile leading role to date. He earned an academy award nomination for his focused, at times funny, sympathetic, and tragic portrayal of Alan Turing. The Cambridge professor may have gone on to become the father of computer science, but that doesn't mean he was easy to get along with, or even likable. His unconventional methods and behavior drew the ire of his fellow mathematicians, in addition to the stern and intimidating Commander Dennison (Charles Dance, Game of Thrones). Eventually, he tempers his arrogance and wins over his colleagues (the commander excluded), who (contrary to his initial belief) provide invaluable assistance in breaking the Nazi code and winning the war. Turing's time at Bletchley Park is fraught with conspiracy, agonizing decisions, betrayals, secrets, and the end of his story is sure to leave the audience legitimately heartbroken.

To give each member of the supporting cast individual praise would take up too much space in this review, but it's safe to say that all cast members, especially Turing and his friends/colleagues, have excellent chemistry and are each given ample time to shine. Aside from Charles Dance, the most notable supporting roles come from Allen Leech (Downton Abbey) and Kiera Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean). Leech nails his first major film role as John Cairncross, a mathematician on Turing's team who shows his loyalty to him right off the bat and sympathy for his struggles. The feisty Joan Clarke is seemingly the best of both worlds (a genius and socially adept), but Knightley's portrayal, while delightful, may not quite convince the audience she had a double first in mathematics at Cambridge.

Despite covering a complex and intellectual topic, the film gracefully glides between the main story and two other plots. Thanks to its Oscar-nominated editing, The Imitation Game keeps audiences equally invested in the main story, Turing's troubled time at boarding school, and when he's under investigation for "indecency" (the term used when homosexuality was illegal) a few years after the end of World War II.

The Imitation Game is possibly the best film of 2014. 10/10

Conventional Treatment

[billygoat1071 · 7/10 · 7 February 2015]

The Imitation Game is half a historical movie that takes place in the agency side of WWII and half a biography of Alan Turing. The movie introduces with a mission that sets up a plan of building a technology to crack a code while the rest is basically a study of what kind of a man Turing truly is. While both sides are quite gripping in its own distinct interest, the movie rather picks some conventional choices in its storytelling, making it sort of underwhelming and predictable, but its skilled direction and a terrific performance by Benedict Cumberbatch surpasses that fact, thankfully made most of it worth it.

The first hour focuses on how they would break the Enigma code, while it teases some flashbacks where Turing learned his encoding skills. It normally tells this story as a mission out of luck, with a team who are only given little chance to succeed. But there is some sense of complexity on their task, like how the government doubts their promise, or how difficult for Turing to get along with his colleagues, etc. And it structures these scenes pretty well, but how the film resolves each of these events does often feel breezy. The next step of the story is the persecution of Turing's sexuality, which completely shifts the theme. It went from an argument of never underestimating one's capabilities in spite of his alienated attitude, to a sentiment about being tolerant with homosexuals. Both of them tell a good message, but the last one just randomly becomes the entire center of the film.

It just lacks enough concentration, the movie just moves and changes too soon before it actually becomes engaging. Fortunately, it's still a decently crafted film. The pacing is consistently handled, there is also a strong production work. Looking around the structure is simply stunning. The actors did what they have to do, the best of them is obviously Cumberbatch who instantly makes the character interesting while you may also get connected with his eventual personal troubles. He's backed up well with Matthew Goode and Keira Knightley, even though there isn't much about their characters, same with other solid supporting like Mark Strong and Charles Dance who are mostly at the background.

The Imitation Game still holds a fascinating story which remains itself as a good film. It just needs more depth; it needs more breathing for suspense at their mission, as well as it needs more exploration at the sudden shift of Turing's deeper character study. The film just easily jumps into the conventional celebration of the man's work and its effects to the war. But even with all of the contrivance, it's still easy to follow how this historical moment happened, even though its storytelling is not as groundbreaking as Turing's achievement. But to be sure, it clearly didn't rob enough of what makes it interesting.

Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.

[cox526 · 9/10 · 16 November 2014]

Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine. This statement is made three times during the film at the most poignant times in it. This is a well crafted film and though the film is essentially based on Alan Turing it doesn't overshadow the fact that Alan Turing cracked the Enigma code with a small team that helped win the war. It is also difficult to imagine that once upon a time in history to be a homosexual was a death sentence and it highlights also that woman were not allowed to go for or to do what was considered a mans job. I go to the cinema to be entertained, thrilled, shocked try and guess the ending to a thriller or to be educated. The film accomplishes most of that; but its the revelation that one of the Worlds greatest mathematicians and greatest minds at the time whose commitment to breaking Enigma and pioneered the modern age of the computer was treated so appalling in the end and it is a story that must be told and it is told here without patronising its audience. And Joan Clarke (played by Kiera Knightley maybe not as convincingly as the rest of the ensemble cast ) highlights just how hard it was for a woman with intelligence and Alan Turing's' vision to establish herself as an equal- Today it is almost incomprehensible that we would treat people with such disdain and so callously because of their sexual orientation or indeed women as badly - although women are still not treated as equal in some quarters-

Great acting

[bengoldenblatt · 9/10 · 16 November 2015]

What the film lacks in my opinion is a seriously constructed drama. Although the film carries a certain amount of tragedy, somehow I couldn't managed to get deeper convened with the characters and complications they experiencing on a daily basis. Maybe it's because of the large number of one-dimensional characters. I'm not entirely sure. Although the script has some glitches, what definitely sells this movie and makes it worth a multiple of view is the brilliant performance of Benedict Cumberbatch. This brilliant British actor amazes us in the role of a brilliant but tortured genius. Because of him all the other elements of the film gets thrown in the background. The spectrum of emotions he gives is great, Benedict contribute so much that the film raises because of him a whole new level.

The day Cumberbatch came of age.

[markgorman · 8/10 · 18 November 2014]

The British Government essentially killed Alan Turing.

The man who invented what we now consider the 'computer' and he may have saved 14 million people from death because of his contribution, sorry vast contribution, to the foreshortening of the Second World War through his invention of the Enigma code breaking machine. Churchill thought so.

But, the trouble is, you see, Alan Turing was a homosexual. And the British Government (like many today did not like homosexuals). Homosexuals in the post war years were lepers of society. So the British Government chemically castrated him.

Alan Turing was most likely also a sufferer of Aspergers Syndrome.

He was, in every sense of the word, a genius.

He was not a likable man because to make real, substantial change sometimes eschews popularity. He was not popular.

It's a dream role for an actor of substance. That actor is Benedict Cumberbatch.

At the time of writing Cumberbatch has seven movies in production, new episodes of the BBC's Sherlock and a couple of episodes of The Hollow Crown as Richard III as work in progress. It would seem reasonable to assume from this that he is a man in demand.

Why?

Because he is a brilliant actor. And this is his time. This is most certainly his movie. Yes, he has good support from Keira Knightley, Allen Leech, Matthew Goode and especially Mark Strong, as his 'boss'. Charles Dance moves on from his movie idol roles into the baddie spotlight and carries it off effortlessly. But make no mistake. This is ALL about Benedict Cumberbatch.

Biopics are often easy meat because they can be imitation games.

But who knew Turing?

In Cumberbatch's hands he's a clean sheet and as the movie develops he progresses from a no name to an absolute hero.

Who cares about Alan Turing? At the start; maybe only the informed. By the end; we all do. It builds to a highly emotional climax that is handled with great skill by breaking Norwegian director Morgan Tyldum. You probably don't know his work. I don't I'm afraid; but I'm keen to.

This is great cinema. Please go see it.

Good but fanciful story, missed opportunity

[hugues-talbot · 6/10 · 6 January 2021]

Alan Turing was a real genius, but he did not design by himself a machine to break the Nazi Enigma message encoding machine during WWII.

Some things in the film are correct, and others are wildly fanciful and even insulting to the memory of the people at Bletchley park and elsewhere who made breaking Enigma possible.

The film remains very good, engaging, well acted and full of suspense and drama. I feel a great opportunity was lost, though, to tell the real story of this codebreaking effort, which heroically and decisively shortened the war considerably without firing a single shot.

For this, read a book. A great one: "Alan Turing, the Enigma" is very good.

Superb plot

[samluta · 10/10 · 6 January 2016]

Amazing biopic and outstanding cast with Benedict Cumberbatch leading the race. He demonstrates in this piece why he is one of the greatest actors of his generation. Great pace and the film does not let up until the final moments. Both captivating and heart-rending. Definitely an award worthy film. The way the film tackles the different themes of sex, morality, ethics and patriotism left me interrogating myself. The dialogue is taut and the action constrained but very intentional and the actors really do an amazing job of guiding us along the story. Each character was very distinct with their own motivations and truths (and this is not necessarily a universal concept). I applaud writer and director alike for the singular vision that was brought to the fore. Filmmaking at its finest and a classic that will be remembered for years to come.

A bit overrated

[emmanuelle-meunier · 6/10 · 7 May 2015]

First of all, you may notice that I am french, so if you want to criticize my review, please do so on the content, and not on grammatical errors or how I write. I am not a movie critic, and my writing style is not the best, but I just love watching movies and criticizing stuff.

So I watched The Imitation Game two days ago and I must say, it wasn't bad at all. The problem is, it wasn't great either. I went into this movie with high expectations, because of it's great reception and its 8 academy awards nominations, and I believe this was the biggest reason for which I found this movie to be disappointing. Now don't get me wrong, the movie was objectively really good, and I loved the fact that thanks to this movie, one of my favorite underrated scientist of all time would finally get some more recognition, but maybe the fact that I knew Alan Turing beforehand ruined the experience for me. I absolutely love Benedict Cumberbatch, and when I heard he would be playing Alan Turing, I was really excited. And boy did he disappoint me. His acting looked stiff and during the entire movie, I had the impression I was watching the 1950 version of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, which really upset me. I can imagine that Alan Turing could have been this anti-social stuttering genius, but to me, it looked like the director wanted to turn him into this lovable dorky thats-just-how-he-is unconventional idiot/genius just to make the crowds love him, and it apparently worked. Cumberbatch's inconsistent stuttering and expressionless face made the fist 80% of the movie borderline unbearable to me. The music didn't make it better, quite the contrary. It had nothing special, and at some points seemed rather out of place. I caught myself regularly checking how much longer this movie was since it seemed to have no end. HOWEVER, I gave this movie a 7 out of 10 because even though I was really upset seeing Keira Knightley (I didn't like her as an actress) she actually surprised me. Her acting was impeccable and natural, and actually made me like her a lot more. The second point I wanted to praise was the ending. Now I am not going to spoil anything, but Cumberbatch's performance at the end turned from meh to marvelous. He was so convincing that he got me to completely tear up.

Even though the ending was great, I did not like this movie. But I can imagine that people would like it, since (I repeat myself) it is objectively a great movie, even though I feel it is a bit overrated. I have the greatest admiration for Alan Turing and his work, so I am quite happy that the movie got such a large audience and so, that this genius finally got the recognition he deserved.