MOVIE REVIEW: “The Imitation Game”

During World War II, British Commander Denniston interviews Alan Turing for a position at the top secret Government Code and Cypher School in Bletchley Park. At first, Denniston finds that Turing is unsuitable for the job, but Turing’s confidence wins him the job. This confidence which borders on arrogance is frustrating for his team members in Hut 8 until fellow code breaker, Joan Clarke, teaches him that he will get farther if his team members ‘like’ him. With their help, Alan builds an electromechanical machine that he names Christopher, after a cherished boyhood friend. Since the Germans reset their Enigma machine at midnight, the team has roughly 16 hours each day to attempt to break the code. With each click of the clock’s second hand (and Commander Denniston’s deadline), Alan and his team are reminded that millions of lives rely on the success of their work.

The Imitation Game deserves an A+ in the realm of biopic films. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers an Oscar worthy performance in this extremely well-crafted historical thriller possibly inspired by the fact that he is distantly related to Turing. Loosely based on Andrew Hodges’ biography titled Alan Turing: The Enigma, the story holds the audience captive and entertains throughout its 114 minutes running time. Despite the screenplay’s many embellishments of historical accounts, the quality of Nina Gold’s casting overcomes and is as impressive as imitation of Turing’s genius mind. Tyldum masterfully unravels the story behind the story through flashbacks and the crew contributed impeccably detailed set decoration and costume design. Run…don’t walk..into the theater to see this one.

                                        ~Movie Buffette