The Imitation Game (2014)

Morten Tyldum's "The Imitation Game" is based on the biography "Alan Turing: The Enigma" by Andrew Hodges. The movie title, of course, refers to Alan Turing's occupation during World War II working undercover "to break an unbreakable Nazi code and win the war." This British pioneering computer scientist must hide his incredible contribution to the war to protect the integrity of the project. Now we know their efforts to break the Enigma code were successful and we know who was responsible. But as this well-kept British secret remained classified for many years, it's taken some time for people to appreciate the extent of Turing's hand in significantly shortening the war. This is made even more significant when we think of Turing playing not one, but two imitation games. Not only does Turing pretend to have a different job than he does, but Turing pretends he is not a homosexual.

The irony behind this idea of imitation is that Turing's personality is completely unapologetic. With these two large secrets he must hide beneath, he refuses to let any other facade control him. His genius drives his creation of this code-breaking machine he fondly names after his childhood love, Christopher. Though he works with a team of other brilliant minds he compulsively does things his own way and doesn't do anything to suppress his abrasive personality. His coworkers struggle to decipher Turing just as much as they struggle deciphering the Enigma. Turing's sexual orientation, of course, plays a role in his socially awkward behavior, though I don't mean this in a derogatory way. Homosexuality was outlawed in Britain at that time, for Turing to acknowledge who he was would be illegal. Turing plays the game, but not without a breaking point.

Benedict Cumberbatch smartly and complexly plays the role of Alan Turing. Though I have been reluctant to join the Cumberbatch fan-girl bandwagon (which, to be frank, I still don't totally understand), I was impressed by his impeccable portrayal of the troubled mathematician. Turing's odd and disagreeable behavior could easily be dismissed as a dislikable character, but Cumberbatch brings out the endearing side. He allows us to see beyond the surface to triumph with his successes and feel sorrow over his pain.

Cumberbatch is perfectly balanced by Keira Knightley's supporting performance. She plays Joan Clarke, the bright female team member and Turing's close friend. She represents a much needed soft, lighthearted, joyful side to Turing's hard-nosed, serious presence. Knightley manages to capture Joan's struggle between her unfaltering loyalty to Alan with the subtle under-the-surface heartbreak of a love that could never be fully reciprocated. Other supporting performances are notable including Matthew Goode, Mark Strong, and Allen Leech.

The story itself develops like a suspenseful drama with pieces of a puzzle coming together in the manner of slow computers. The tone and pace are brilliantly fitting for a movie set in 1939 at the dawn of computer engineering. Of course the computing process is painstaking and Turing's discoveries take a while to make any real change because what we are witnessing is invention at its purest. Turing's story of technological breakthrough is told in classic flashback fashion, but it doesn't feel overwrought. Starting in 1951 with the intrigue of a police investigation and a defeated Turing suffering prosecution for indecency, to flashbacks of 1939 Bletchley Park (where the bulk of the narrative is focused), and integrating further flashbacks to young, bullied Turing in 1927. The jumbled patchwork of scenes slowly reveal different facets of our main character's life and being to help create this puzzle effect.

Though Turing's homosexuality was important to note in the plot, I was disappointed that the ending changed its focus so much to LGBT rights. Don't get me wrong, I support gay rights. I just thought the idea of homosexuals being subjected to such horrible treatment is, of course, cruel but was already represented implicitly. The explicit closing credits changed what the film was about. It's not a political movement. This is a film to celebrate intelligence.

In fact, this is where "The Imitation Game" succeeds best: in its inspiring depiction of brilliance. Though Alan Turing was a rather socially awkward specimen, he exhibited brilliance in more than just mathematics. Right after he and his team break the Enigma Code, his quick thinking to the responsibility they now held in the war is, in my mind, the time where he proves himself most as a genius worthy of respect. This is one of those movies where you walk away having learned more about a story worth hearing. 8/10