Review: The Imitation Game

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Imagine that.

I got a break when I went to this. The box office guy apparently took pity on me and gave me a free ticket. Sure, it was probably because no one wanted to be liable for me in the event that place burned down or something and my gimpy ass couldn't hobble out in time, but still. That was a nice gesture. You know who could've used a nice gesture in life? Alan Turing. 

In 1939 mathematician Alan Turing is tasked, along with another group of men with breaking Enigma, a machine that the Germans were sending coded messages with in WWII. At first, he doesn't get along with this colleges. Particularly, he clashes with his superior, Ozymandias Hugh. (Matthew Goode) When he finally gets funding and approval to build a machine to counter Enigma, he esembles own staff, including Joan Clarke. (Keira Knightley)

Turing's genius made him a peculiar case, then there was the fact that he was hiding his homosexuality in a time where it was illegal. The guy had a lot to deal with, and ended up being very unfairly treated. I didn't know much about Turing before this film came out, but now I want to read more. 

The film was wonderful. Benedict Cumberbatch was perfect for this role. At the beginning, I was afraid he'd be a little too Sherlock-y, but he was so much more than that. Keira Knightley also gives a stunning performance. Joan is very meek and understanding, but in once scene she shows so much fire that you wouldn't expect it coming from her. She was just wonderful, and she's easily moved to the top of my supporting actor list. The score was beautiful and the film well paced. Easily one of my favorites of the year.

Recommended: Y

Grade: A-

Memorable Quote: "Oh, Joan's at the market..." - Stewart Menzies (Mark Strong)

Comments

  1. NikaJanuary 13, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    I loved everything about TIG, acting, those interesting and witty dialogues, music, cinematography and how dramatic and exciting it was the same time. The scene where machine starts working is the most memorable one.

    Knightley, Cumberbatch and Goode did my favorite performances here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 13, 2015 at 10:47 AM

      Oh it was! That was a wonderful scene, as was the one leading up to it at the bar where they have their "aha" moment.

      Delete
  2. Aditya BJanuary 13, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    Great review! I wasn't as big of a fan of this as you were. I was quite irked by the fact that they really glossed over the atrocities that occurred to him after the war ended. I thought that by only briefly showing the things he suffered through, Tyldum and Moore did Turing a great disservice. Still, I really liked Cumberbatch and especially Knightley, plus Desplat's wonderful score, but the film as a whole failed for me.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 13, 2015 at 10:46 AM

      I like that they didn't focus on his suicide and what happened after the war. Even though it was awful, I think it made the film seem less like a melodrama. Most bio pics would've went there, and I'm glad that they chose to focus on his work instead. The footnote was enough to make people look him up to see what really happened. I think so anyways.

      Delete
    2. NikaJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:01 AM

      Oh, I agree that. The movie told just right amount of story. It already had enough drama

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2015 at 11:22 AM

    I'm really very intrigued by this! So many movies I need to see!!!! Great write up!

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 13, 2015 at 2:02 PM

      Thank you! This was wonderful. Another one better than Boyhood. lol

      Delete
  4. RuthJanuary 13, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Interesting opening paragraph there Brittani, and what a segue into Alan Turing! I thought this was a good film with excellent performances but not exactly a masterpiece of a film. Still I like it well enough it'd be in my Top 10. Still I'm quite surprised that Morten Tyldum got a DGA nom over Fincher for Gone Girl!

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 13, 2015 at 2:01 PM

      Fincher is being robbed quite a bit this season!

      And thanks. Granted my fractured ankle is not even a fraction of the crap Turing went through, but it still made me think. lol

      Delete
  5. s.January 13, 2015 at 3:03 PM

    So great you liked this! Yes, it's Oscar bait but it's so much better than Theory of Everything - interesting story, great acting, emotional scenes. Keira played one of the most inspirational and courages characters of the year. I loved how well they showed the shit women have to deal with and it's sadly just the way it was back then in today's world.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 14, 2015 at 6:45 AM

      YES to everything you said. I liked Theory of Everything too. But that scene where they had to lie to get Joan to go to work. Good lord, I'm glad things have changed.

      Delete
  6. UnknownJanuary 13, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    I am definitely looking forward to this film. I am glad you liked it so much!

    Why are you hobbling? Were you injured?

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 14, 2015 at 6:44 AM

      Yeah, I fractured my ankle and am in one of those walking boots. Which is awesome in the snow. lol

      Delete
  7. Kevin PowersJanuary 13, 2015 at 6:39 PM

    I'm really glad you liked this movie as well. It's one of my favorites of the year, very unexpectedly, which is always good.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tanner JonesJanuary 14, 2015 at 8:39 AM

    Good review! I agree that Cumberbatch was great!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Big Screen Small WordsJanuary 14, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    Great review! Very excited to see this one!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JoshFebruary 2, 2015 at 1:19 PM

    Glad you liked this one too. I honestly don't know where the Sherlock comparisons are coming from some people. Like, did they not watch this movie? Knightley was great as well. Thrilled that they were both nominated.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 2, 2015 at 3:59 PM

      I don't get it either. Not once did they remind me of each other, but I had seen a lot of people make the comparison, so it worried me a little.

      Delete

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