Cumberbatch's power as an actor elevates the film

Rating: 7/10 (20 February 2015)

When it comes to The Imitation Game I think that in the future I will remember this movie as a great vehicle for Benedict Cumberbatch to score an Oscar nomination (his first). There is no doubt that Cumberbatch is one of the most talented actors of his generation and in this film he finally gets the role that writes his name in movie history. Assuming he keeps up the great work he's done so far, I believe this is only the start for him.
The story is of Alan Turing, a brilliant English mathematician who, along with a team of equally brilliant minds, cracked the Nazi code Enigma and ultimately played an instrumental part in winning the war for the allies. What makes him the idealized subject for a biographical film, however, is his troubled sexual orientation. Given the mentality that was a part of the world at that time, Turing's homosexuality led to him being very secretive. In the movie we get side plot lines that explore the past heartbreak that this genius man endured and also the aftermath of the war and how it took it's toll on our him.
As I said before, Benedict Cumberbatch is simply brilliant in the representation of Alan Turing. The man sells insecurity, meticulousness and emotion like no other. There may, in fact, be no part that the he can't play in nothing other than astounding fashion. In his shadow, I would say that all the supporting players are on par with each other. I personally enjoyed seeing Matthew Goode and Mark Strong respectively offering different types of character in a strong manner. As far as Knightley's nominated performance goes, I feel she was solid and was a fresh female presence in an otherwise men's show.
The directing and writing are mostly just above average unfortunately. And I say this because the movie was captivating enough to hold my attention, yet it was the great acting by the cast, with special consideration for the leading man, that elevated the movie . Nonetheless, The Imitation Game is a somewhat valid choice if you want to reach the surface of Turing's contributions to the world and his turbulent private life. As far as I'm concerned, I will look back and appreciate Cumberbatch's enigmatic performance in future viewings.
Rating: 7,5-8/10