A disjointed and incomplete story of WWII code breakers, spies, and mathematical geniuses

Rating: 6/10 (24 January 2015)

The Imitation Game is a movie about code breaking, intrigue and personal sexuality that should resonate with some moviegoers of today. It brings to the forefront themes not fully explored and presented in most WWII movies. Artistically, the movie is told in a rather disjointed manner with bits and pieces of emotional drama. So, it is up to the spectator to create his or her own sense of the story as scenes come and go. The lead character, Alan Turing -- played by Benedict Cumberbatch -- is portrayed in a way that his personality might come across as being somewhat conflicted and troubled by his own circumstances, which -- unfairly -- is not a full reflection of his true character or own circumstances near the end of his life. Moreover, the movie tries to portrait him as a war hero, tech pioneer, social martyr, or troubled man in an incomplete and unconvincing manner. It is true that code breakers including Alan Turing played a decisive role during WWII, but others also made lasting contributions in so many ways during those terrible years. The movie's focus is more about the character's personal life than the events and circumstances that affected his society at the time, which was markedly totalitarian in the impositions of social norms. The movie has certainly gained considerable appreciation in certain circles of society, which routinely invoke and promote earthly (sometimes hollow) co-existence as the ultimate and indisputable way (and purpose) of life regardless of others' philosophical underpinnings or endless desire for the pursuit of universal truth. Therefore, we should expect more movies with similar themes as the informal debate about the ultimate purpose of life continues to unfold implicitly or explicitly in an already highly accessible art-driven medium.