Inspiring and thought provoking

Rating: 8/10 (8 December 2016)

In the Weinstein Company movie, The Imitation Game, Alan Turning is a compelling and intriguing character. Certainly the opening scene, where he is being viciously interrogated, draws the audience in. This movie has the audience wondering what makes Alan, played by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, so different?
Taking place in WWII, this movie illustrates the story of Alan Turing and his cryptanalysis team's mission to crack the German Enigma code. Portrayed in a beautifully compelling picture, and directed by Morten Tyldum, this film takes place in England. In comparison to so many other WWII movies, this particular film gives the audience a taste of the warfare away from the front lines at Bletchley Park. Alan Turing and his team must crack the German code to help prevent possible attacks on British and American ships, which in the end actually leads them to save countless lives. Benedict Cumberbatch does a wonderful job at playing the complicated and multifaceted character of Alan Turing. Benedict displays a socially awkward, but brilliant, Turing in way that encourages the audience to wonder what he is hiding. He is cynical, secretive, mysterious and brilliant.
Indeed, we find that Turing is a homosexual, and, because of the legal punishments that can be dealt by Britain at the time, he must keep his secret to himself. He holds this heavy weight while serving as a vital part of helping defeat Germany in the war. After the war, Turing's sexual identity is eventually found out and is sentenced to chemical castration. Ultimately Alan Turing commits suicide. It is a tragic outcome but, because of the unaccepting social culture at the time, it is understandable. One may wonder why such passions arouse and why they must be punished and that is not an easy answer. How can anyone suggest they have not had a perverted thought in their lifetime. According to the Bible all men are considered sinful (Romans 3:23) and so all should be punished. Yet those who understand God's love, through his atoning son Jesus Christ, they will not be punished but will be restored to His perfect likeness.
This film is an inspiration and I recommend it. Its humor will make you smile and the honesty of the world it portrays will make you think.