Review of The Imitation Game (2014) by Marc G — 05 Jul 2015

Praised by critics and cinema goers alike, it was inevitable that I would eventually get round to watching The Imitation Game, although with such praise also comes 2 crucial elements, 1) Will the film live up to and exceed the hype? 2) Is this film just praised because its more of the same, and although this film has a wild array of talent and themes, you cant help but feel, someone was thinking of that big shiny award ceremony after its release.

So set during the 2nd world war, Alan Turing applies for a position with the British army, not to point guns however, his job requires him and a crack team of intelligent mathematicians, to crack the German coding system aptly titled Enigma.

It's evident from the beginning that Alan has many secrets, however with no one on his side, he is forced to convince the British army generals, that he can create a machine that will not only defeat the Enigma and win the war but also be utilized for centuries to come.

Seems slightly one note, but add into the mix that this is a biopic and that Alan was actually a gay male living in the shadows during that time, in fear of death, what we actually have here on paper is an opportunity to really rally home a brilliant piece of artistic work.

However the film just cant seem to balance everything right, there are too many distractions and the actual handling of Alan being gay is well, in my opinion, slightly childish. The cast are a mixture, although an array of talent on supply here, Benedict Cumberbatch pretty much steals the show, completely, hence the Oscar baiting I mentioned earlier.

He is superb as an isolated male genius, desperate for success, troubled in life, living a lie and constantly fighting off claims he is a monster. Matthew Goode is also worth while as his counter part, leveling the playing field with a more subdued performance.

Keira Knightly, Charles Dance and Mark Strong also join in, but none of them especially have either much to do or really break any barriers here, this leaving Cumberbatch and his younger counter part smashing every actor on screen.

It is a great cast but I'd have lived to have seen more done with them, yes there is ensemble arcing and frayed relationships along the way but people come and go and on the main team, of which we really should feel a sense of complete cameradery by the end, we are only left really rooting for a few.

Some cast members are dunted aside or even vanish without a mention. So what fills its place? Well a shockingly handled look at Alan now section, it seems like it cheats the entire experience. Constantly we are dragged out of the meat of the piece, to remind us that, hey Alan is gay.

It is such an integral part of the story and one that must be told, but the directors choice to handle as a twist is pitiful and the fact that so much time is spent just hammering this nail in, it takes away from the impact.

Yes Alan was gay, yes this was seen as a crime during that era and yes we want to feel that suspense but hitting us over the head with it, when Cumberbatch and his child counter part do such a wonderful and subtle job of the performance is detrimental to the piece entirely.

By the time it gets to its conclusion we seen it all coming, and in this case a more linear style of story telling may have been the best route to choose. The film also has more moments of voice over battering home some form of Prestige-esque are you watching closely and really bad CGI war zones, that just arent needed.

I want to watch Alan, I want to know more about his struggles, I want to know more about the team and his superiors and then I want the conclusion, the most shocking one of which is delivered to us through text in the space of 30 seconds, why? These elements are so important and are going for the punch you wish to pack, why are they isolated to mere text? It's a shame because this film has wonderful pacing, a decent script, with some heartfelt and comedic moments, it builds relationships, when its allowed to and really gives a sense of character arc and growth to our protagonist.

Visual the film does little wrong, its lit perfectly, the camera is always where we want it to be, even if its not doing the most awe inducing maneuvers possible and the music fits wonderfully into the edit.

Ignore the CGI and this film is a visual treat of simplicity and excellence. The costume and set design is also excellent, everything looks of its time and the machine stands out, like you would imagine it would, as an iconic and alien being of sorts.

I really enjoyed my time with this film, it had a wonderfully strong message, a good sense of pacing and a great cast, mixed with solid camera work and an outstanding performance by our leading man, however its structure, handling of material and lack of finality, other than text, is insulting to what should have been a five star beast.

Highly recommended but no master piece.