The Imitation Game move review

The Imitation Game Review

‘When people talk to each other, they never say what they mean.’ This is one of the many dialogues from the Andrew Hodges biography based movie Imitation Game that reflects the life of an introverted genius, of an unsung hero. A man who saved the lives of millions by cutting the war short but who himself suffered an unfair life and death.

The story unfolds in three parts, all reflecting how a man who could decipher the trickiest cryptographic conundrums in the world could not decipher the intricacies involved in living the ‘normal’ human life. The crux of the film involves the life of mathematician Alan Turing, played by the very versatile Benedict Cumberbach, who is employed by the British Intelligence to crack the Enigma, the infamous encryption device that allowed the Nazis to communicate across the continent unrestricted. The film, directed by Morten Tyldum, is however not entirely about how the world war was won by five persons hunched over their work tables in a small town northwest of London. It is also a touching story on how the various characteristics that set apart Alan Turing, the obsessive compulsive genius, from the rest of the pack resulted in him making one of the most important contributions to modern humankind, while also condemning him to suffer a cruel death as a depressed loner.

The stigma that we have against people whose sexual orientation are different from what we term ‘normal’ was much more so during the time in which the movie is set. Just being a homosexual was a crime, one punished by severe means. One of the most significant quarters from where the Imitation Game found acceptance was from the LGBT community who lauded the makers for their strong take on the subject.

While the first part of the movie shows the protagonist being bullied by children in his school, the second part snaps back to portray him at his marvelling best, breaking codes and helping his country win the war. The final leg of the movie shows the anguish of a man who is judged for being what he is made to be and consequently punished for the same.

Though the film stars a cast line of talent that includes Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Allen Leach, Charles Dance and Kiera Knightley, it is Benedict Cumberbach who steals the show completely. He is smooth and solid in his portrayal of the vulnerable Turing. Not only does he mould himself into the skin of Turing, he is convincing without a blink of effort, or so it seems. From the stammering speech typical of Alan Turing to the emotional moment when he breaks down when Joan visits him post war, Cumberbatch brings the his character to life with amazing accuracy that leave moviegoers awestruck.

The true legacy of The Imitation Game is in the strong messages it gives to all viewers. It teaches us that the circumstances of one’s birth does not define our lives, but it is the choices we make and the actions we take that does so. It teaches us to never judge a person for what he is, but rather for who he is. And above all, quoting the movie, it tells us that “It is the ones no one imagines anything of that does the things no one can imagine.”

To conclude, Imitation Game is a true masterpiece and a movie that will stand out and endure as the golden standard in the biopic genre for a long time to come. It is one truly worth adding to any movie collection.

Review by Nivedith George and Aswin G