Dear Readers

The Imitation Game.

Film Released 2014.

Cast Includes: Benedict Cumberbatch (Alan Turing ), Keira Knightley (Joan Clarke),  Matthew Goode (Hugh Alexander), Mark Strong (Stewart Menzies), Charles Dance (Commander Denniston), Rory Kinnear (Detective Nock)

There are many films that come with the title ‘must see’, of which very few live up to that media generated excitement. Once in a while, a true gem of film hits the screen and really does earn the right to be a ‘really must see’. The Imitation Game is one of those films.

Many of my prior reviews concentrate on big budget, big action, big blockbuster which is fine. Here in this film, is an example of pure balance. From the beautiful tranquil scenes in the countryside to the bleak cold waters of the Atlantic, this film captures many life stories. Some of them are never shown, yet by the virtue of one man and his drive, they are there.

The Imitation Game tells the story of Alan Turing and his fellow mathematicians as they attempt to break the torturous enigma code during World War II. The film has a time-travel feel to it, as it shows how Turing became interested in codes from an early age. The film is based on the book by Andrew Hodges – ‘Alan Turing:The Enigma’. I have not read the book myself, however after watching the film I may well have to read it.

The story is well constructed, showing just how easy a good film can be made. The pace is perfect, the ‘time-travelling’ does not distract from the story telling. Despite some reviews, I could not find fault with anyone’s performance. Cumberbatch throws off the Holmes character and makes you belive in the torture of the genius. The rest of the main cast can’t be considered as anything other than equal in how they portrayed their respective characters. I am aware there are some short cuts in the movie, but then to tell anything of length you might as well make it a television soap. At that point you would lose the grandeur of the film.

It did have me griped from the start. The movie told a difficult story of spying and code breaking wonderfully without the need to be abrasive. It also gave the background to the major character Alan Turing. What makes a film work for me, is believable people. There was the hint of more that just kept you watching. Building of the code breaker itself was unique, it was in effect one of the first computers. Others will tell you that the Poles did have some success cracking some of the code. However, as with many break through’s there is that element of luck. That luck was very simple but it made the difference.

What made this film have an added touch, was with the discovery of the code, the responsibility that came with it. I won’t give that part away. This secret was kept for over 50 years and that had its own destructive consequences. There was a sad element to the film, yet it never saddened the film until the end. For those of you who did not know, this was a film based on true events and true people. Thos people were kept hidden from many and this is a part of their story. As a rating, I would give this 5/5.

Tagline ‘next time you do that special crossword, just be ready for advantage.’