Determined to defeat Germany during World War 2, the British government tried all methods to win. Gifted scientist Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) offered hope. Using his skills to create a vital code-breaking machine, his services became crucial. Living as a closeted homosexual, his personal life often conflicted with his professional. With pressure mounting, Turing’s methods impact on those around him with unforeseen consequences.
Deserved praise has gone to Cumberbatch for his tortured performance. ‘The Imitation Game’ gives him much to work with as Turing’s life slowly unravels. Caught between doing his patriotic duty and having its laws turn on him creates engrossing drama. Morten Tyldum directs his cast with general sensitivity with the exploration of society’s attitudes towards homosexuality engaging. Flitting through Turing’s troubled life Tyldum succeeds in showing some of the demons which drove him.
Detracting from ‘The Imitation Game’s’ impact is the use of stock-standard movie biography formula. A familiar trajectory is followed with Kiera Knightley’s role as one of Turing’s close friends feeling somewhat tokenistic. Facts and characters have been re-arranged to fit typical cinematic convention with surprises only briefly forth-coming. Despite these draw-backs, ‘The Imitation Game’ utilises Cumberbatch to good effect with psychological intrigue to maintain interest.
A worthy investigation of an unsung war hero, ‘The Imitation Game’ effectively shows the wars fought away from battlefields. It isn’t perfect but has enough to satisfy curiosity for any budding World War 2 boffin.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 7
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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