Wick's Review

Summary - Very Good 3.5

A father of computer science and nerdy war hero makes a fine subject for a rather dreamy biopic. Oh yeah, Alan Turing was also a persecuted gay man, back when homosexuality was criminalized in Great Britain. The Imitation Game thus has several storylines running through it, perhaps explaining why it obfuscates more than most movies that are “based on a true story”.

It tells a fascinating story nevertheless, historical liberties notwithstanding. Plus the acting is first rate, especially by Benedict Cumberbatch as misunderstood genius Alan Turing. The period trappings are also outstanding, of England during WWII and of the computing machine Turing built to decipher German military transmissions.

Bottom line, it’s a thinking-couple’s date movie. Three parts compelling history (war, computing, gay rights), plus great acting, all delivered in a well-mounted period piece, make it so.

Acting - Very Good 3.5

Benedict Cumberbatch convincingly brings the legendary Alan Turing to life, playing him as somewhat Asberger-y. While a great performance, it doesn’t seem much of a stretch for this upper-crust British actor to play an oddly refined British character.

• Keira Knightley underplays his colleague and potential love interest Joan Clarke, and is therefore very effective at it. The real Clarke was said to be a rather plain woman, but the fair Knightley is a more than good enough actress to not lead with her beauty.
• Matthew Goode as Hugh Alexander
• Allen Leech as John Cairncross, who apparently never crossed paths with Turing in real life.
• Matthew Beard as Peter Hilton
• Charles Dance as Commander Denniston, who is apparently not treated fairly in the movie
• Mark Strong as head of MI6 Stewart Menzies, said to be Ian Fleming’s model for M: Strong is less strong than usual in this perfect role for him. Odd.

Film - Good 3.0

Edge - Tame 1.5

Reality - Glib 1.4

The title of The Imitation Game refers to an artificial intelligence test devised by Alan Turing that has no part in the movie. That’s hardly its only reality failing. Wikipedia has amassed a long list of inaccuracies.

• Feed
• Movies
• ViewLists
• NewOnDemand