Many have decried “The Imitation Game” as an unreal representation of what truly happened to Alan Turing and the events surrounding World War II. Was he really a war hero, committed to silence for cracking the German Enigma code? Was he really tied to Soviet spies during the 1950s? Did he have Asperger’s? Regardless of what is true, Hollywood is not in the business of providing the truth. The film is intended to tell stories about the great characters of history and to make audiences feel for them. So, how does the film perform at its own game?
Acting
The entire cast does a wonderful job of conveying their respective characters. The title of the film brings light to these characters in that they are not really who they say. For instance, Benedict Cumberbatch’s character of Alan Turing could be considered a war hero. He isn’t lauded as the father of computers or known for his intellect throughout Britain. Instead, he must perform the role of a reclusive scientist as the years pass, whose conduct makes him a Soviet target to some local authorities.
Benedict is at the top of his game, playing with iconic characters such as Khan in “Star Trek” and Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s “Sherlock.” However, how does he fare when portraying real life individuals; someone like Alan? I feel like this is the first time we get to the see the vulnerability in one of Benedict’s genius characters. He isn’t Sherlock with an “ace up his sleeve.” He’s human.
Both Benedict and Keira Knightley do an excellent job of “keeping up appearances.” Benedict’s character is a vulnerable genius, someone who is so intelligent, yet sometimes mistakenly takes things too literally. Keira’s character of Joan Clarke is committed to a man that doesn’t love her. Keira may not be as “plain” as the real life Joan (another criticism of the film), but she makes up for it in sheer determination and wit. Matthew Goode and Allen Leech do well as Alan’s counterparts in solving Enigma. I really enjoyed Mark Strong as the MI-6 operative, Stewart Menzies. He wasn’t the typical Mark Strong villain character.
Sound
Alexandre Desplat’s score here tops his other in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Every note is very simple and clean. The tempo of the film can be likened to Alan’s psyche with a swirl of precise logical conclusions or compared to the metronome beat of the Enigma-cracking machine, Christopher. It is one of the only films this year I can clearly remember the score. I also really enjoy that it feels like an indie film score. Alexandre wrote it in three weeks, which makes it all the more impressive.
The sound design also enhanced the dread before midnight, where the code crackers were trying to solve Enigma before midnight, or be forced to start from scratch the next morning. Tick tock goes the score and sound.
Cinematography
Close-ups are this movie’s friend. Here is a wide shot of Alan and Joan talking. Now here is a close up of Alan mustering up courage to tell Joan he doesn’t love her. Then there’s Joan. The back and forth could be stated as monotonous, but the performances from the characters make the individual shots work.
When Alan is young (played by Alex Lawther) and discovers that his best friend is dead, his emotional breakdown within the close-up gives layers to the story and conveys a humanity behind the standoffish genius.
There are also several scenes from war footage. It is almost jarring when contrasted to the CGI shots of bombing raids or German U-Boat attacks on ships. This is my biggest compliant with the film- it tries to juggle between fact and fiction and sometimes finds itself fumbling at both.
Sets/Locations
The locations are varied throughout the timeline of the film- from the “advanced” police station of the ‘50s with a constant tip tap of typewriters to the quaint work area for Alan Turing and his workers in the ‘40s. The set pieces feel like something from their time periods – none of the sets feel forced, as if they felt the urgent need to include an old rotary phone in this scene.
“The Imitation Game” may be filled with fiction, but it excels in telling its story very well. Despite occasional news-reel footage, the film immerses audiences in the setting of World War II and the rush to win the war against the “unbreakable” code.
“The Imitation Game” is also nominated for:
– Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Benedict Cumberbatch
– Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Keira Knightley
– Best Achievement in Directing, Morten Tyldum
– Best Achievement in Film Editing, William Goldenberg
– Best Achievement in Original Music Score, Alexandre Desplat
– Best Achievement in Production Design, Maria Djurkovic (Production Design); Tatiana Macdonald (Set Decoration)
– Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Graham Moore
The eight films nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year are:
– The Grand Budapest Hotel — Read Chad’s review 9 Oscar Nominations for ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.
– Boyhood — Read Chad’s review A Meandering Yet Remarkable “Boyhood “.
– American Sniper — Read Chad’s review “American Sniper” Aims for the Heart
– The Imitation Game — Read Chad’s review “The Imitation Game” Rolls the Dice on Fact and Fiction
– Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
– Selma
– The Theory of Everything
– Whiplash — Read Chad’s Review “Whiplash” is Right on Time
The Oscars will be broadcast live on Sunday, Feb. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Chad Alexander is a mild-mannered government contractor by day and a pretty normal sleeper by night. He has been dedicated to freelance writing for the last decade — writing scripts, short stories, and blogging in his spare time. He reads constantly, plays board games in his spare time, and enjoys a fine 20 oz of Cherry Coke whenever he’s feeling dangerous.
Follow Fredericksburg.Today on Facebook, and on Twitter at @Fxbg2day
HOME
