Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a socially inept mathematician who, along with a series of other personnel, including a woman, Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) break the German’s Enigma code using the first computer – a giant, electric machine. But, years later, he has some issue with the police, it is revealed he is gay and that is illegal and he is treated extremely poorly.
It’s not bad. It’s another in the category of extremely smart men with unusual habits who have beautiful women help them get through and are forever recognised as geniuses (A Beautiful Mind, The Theory of Everything). I found Benedict Cumberbatch perfect in this role, but he plays the rude upper-crust man so well (hence being a magnificent Sherlock). I was disappointed to see Keira Knightly appear, but for once, I really enjoyed her performance – she is good as the somewhat snobby but ultimately plucky English gal. And I get that the film has a whole other significant story about Turing’s sexuality and how poorly he was treated because of it. And add to that the treatment of women, and you have a film that says things about important issues. But overall, it didn’t do it for me.
The Imitation Game won an Oscar for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (Graham Moore) and was nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Benedict Cumberbatch), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Keira Knightley), Best Achievement in Directing (Morten Tyldum), Best Achievement in Film Editing, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Picture, Original Score and Best Achievement in Production Design.
ireckonthat 