Director: Morten Tyldum
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong, Charles Dance, Rory Kinnear, Allen Leech
Running Time: 114 minutes
Certificate: 12
Extras: Making The Imitation Game, Alan Turing: Man & Enigma, Heroes of Bletchley
THE IMITATION GAME is an outstanding introduction and exploration of the remarkable life of genius Alan Turing, his unique work, alongside a dedicated team at Bletchley Park, had a historic effect on the outcome of the Second World War. The story had been hidden for 29 years before it was revealed in 1974 and although many of us have known about the story specific story of Enigma, I feel that Turing’s remarkable and vital involvement hadn’t really been told to a wider audience until now.
Cumberbatch is a striking fit for the character that is both in the truest sense a genius and at a loss for his connection to ‘normal’ life, whatever that is, his strengths and weaknesses are on par so as the leading man, he’s both compelling and captivating to watch. This is also a movie that comes at an interesting time for the modern world, given that Turing was only given a posthumous pardon in 2013 for being charged with being homosexual in 1953, as it quite rightfully doesn’t shy away from his true love for his friend Christopher. It also effortlessly links how Turing fully involved himself in his work with the Bombe as it became not only a game of intelligence but also that deep connection inside both his heart and head.
It makes sense that THE IMITATION GAME is directed by Norwegian Morten Tyldum and American screenwriter Graham Moore, because their distance from the British connection enables the story to develop on both its own merits and through the characters. The British and Irish ensemble cast complement each other as Nina Gold’s casting once again fits the picture perfectly. Mark Strong is flawless in his role but it’s Keira Knightley who stands out alongside Cumberbatch as she plays the role of her life. I was won over by Knightley after her outstanding performance in ATONEMENT and her style and approach fits this period beautifully to make a substantial impact on both the screen and in Turing’s life as her character.
THE IMITATION GAME film transcends that reality and appreciation boundary to celebrate the life of a true British genius, life could literally be very, very different if it wasn’t for his invention and talent and everyone involved work together to produce a fitting tribute.
[usr=4] THE IMITATION GAME is available to pre-order now and released on Blu-ray and DVD this 9th March.
