Mathematician, cryptanalyst, and war hero Alan Turing, father of of modern-day computing, arrested on a count of “gross indecency” for the criminal offence of homosexuality. Unbeknownst to authorities at the time, this man helped the allies win the war.
The Imitation Game tells two stories of Turning’s life, the story of this arrest, and the story that was declassified in 2005, about his time in the war and how he cracked the code of the Enigma machine.
Benedict Cumberbatch brings in a stellar performance as Turing, balanced by Keira Knightly as Joan Clarke. The acting, story, cinematography, and direction of this film are nothing short of spectacular, and it is clear to see why it is now receiving so much interest as we enter the awards season.
The story is engrossing, and although almost every viewer would know the outcome, one can not but help to feel the urgency and tension that must have been felt by those portrayed on screen. Not being just a serious thriller about the war, and the tragedy of a hero, there are some humorous moments of brevity in the film, leading some chuckles to break the tension.
The Imitation Game is one of those films people will be talking about for years to come, and is a definite must see. It opens 23 January 2015 in South Africa.
