The Imitation Game

Rating: 9/10 (16 September 2015)

Summary: One of the biggest, 'best' kept secrets of British history, if not the world's history.... A tragic, heart felt true story of one mans struggle for acceptance, an acceptance that to this day has never been entirely granted. For without this man, we would not be living in the world we know. Without this man, history would be entirely different. We as people owe all we have to this man, a true hero.
The Imitation Game is the story of Alan Turing a mathematical genius who had a passion and obsession for solving puzzles, riddles, clues and was a proud Cryptanalyst. In 2013 Britain formally under the royal family apologised and pardoned Alan Turing for the inhumane, and horrific way he was treated. Alan Turing was, due to his sexuality chemically castrated, and forced in to loneliness, sorrow, depression and segregation. In short, he committed suicide under a sentence given to him of 'Gross Indecency'. As tragic as this was, worse then all of this, he was never credited for the hero that he was.
Although a film based on the horrific real life account of one mans struggle, need and desire for a life of acceptance and peace, this film is not entirely Tragedy, but more a story of appreciation that should have been given every day. We first are introduced to Alan Turing during his last remaining years alive, where he was broken into by the police in his home in Manchester, and harassed regarding a noise disturbance from the neighbours. Following an investigation Turing was brought in for questioning due to a number of accusations and clues that didn't collate. Turing was, due to no record accused of War Crimes, and being a Soviet spy. However, it is not this that is the crime, Turing is found to be a Homosexual and arrested. During questioning, our film and story really begins, as it is here where the police want to know why there is no record of his service during the war, and what he really did.. "Are you listening closely?"
Alan Turing was brought to Bletchley Park under MI6, and sworn secrecy to embark on the seemingly impossible task of solving the "unsolvable" Enigma, a machine that was being used by the Nazi's to send combat instructions across radio waves, and orchestrate attacks in the ocean and sky's.. If decoded and broken thousands would be saved. But there was the small task of breaking this code, a code which is changed daily. Apart from his shear genius It is Alan's shy, awkward and social inability to deal with people that allowed him to succeed the way he did, as through an ignorance and belief of his ability we see Turing take over a team of some of the best mathematicians, code breakers in the country and with one swoop fire two of them, take control and demand £100,000 worth of materials to build a machine, to defeat the Enigma machine. Morten Tyldum tells a life story of Alan through three time periods during his life, when he was at boarding school, during Bletchley park and a short time before his death. During Alan's time at boarding school we learn about how one child's seemingly loneliest time, was one of his happiest times, it is where we meet his friend and first love Christopher. A love that was so strong, and important to Alan it created a Frankenstein esque relationship with his Enigma machine, which in turn stems back to his first love, he names the machine Christopher.. This became Alan's obsession and drove his genius to question the power of technology, and where in the future will the 'computer' and man be? Furthermore, Alan went on to write his thesis "The Imitation Game" (hence the title)
Benedict Cumberbatch has been nominated for a Golden Globe, Oscar and Britt award for his portrayal in this film of the genius that was Alan Turing. And may I add, it is completely clear, and obvious as to why he has been nominated for all these prestigious awards. Although beaten by Eddie Redmayne for 'best actor' (which is a fair defeat as Eddie's portrayal of Steven Hawkins on "The Theory of Everything" is perfect) his performance is breath taking, and a its as if we are watching what we would imagine Alan to be like. Cumberbatch catches this man's inability to relate to people, to admit to defeat and to show a need for help. Furthermore, Cumberbatch who is assisted by a cast of fantastic actors really shows a struggle and 'need' for love to be real. One actress in particular is Keira Knightley portraying the character and genius 'Joan Clarke' , who was Alan's rock, support and real friend throughout his time at Bletchley, but more importantly was Alan's fiancée (who helped disguise his homosexuality).
Without ruining the entire film for my readers, I would say that this film is an incite, like those films before (Enigma, 2001) into the life of one man who was forgotten, and never remembered for how he changed the course of history forever, and rid the world of tyranny. I found this film to be a story you as a viewer struggle to forget, and really feel that some things in life are unjust and humanity fails to prevail. They say that due to Alan and his team solving the Enigma and the horrendous choices that followed for them, they shortened the war by at least two years, saving thousands. Morten Tyldum has really focused on the story, and the choices made by a small group of people, who were normal like you or I. It is however, the later years after the war that really hit home in this film. Due to Alan's sexuality he was forced into Chemical Castration, exile and a life without Christopher. In turn, forcing suicide upon a hero.