An Enigmatic genius who changed the world

Rating: 9/10 (17 February 2015)

At the peak of Germany's dominance over Europe during the second World War, Britain was desperate to gain a strategic advantage against the enemy while being constantly bombarded through air-raids. MI-6 had learnt of the Nazi Code machine, Enigma, but was unable to decipher it's cryptic messages that had millions of variables that changed on a daily basis. Enter, Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant mathematician who severely lacked social skills but was committed to cracking the codes and helping the UK win the war. The unsung hero who rather than being glorified for saving thousands of lives during the war, was punished to the point that ended up with him committing suicide. Norwegian film-maker Morten Tyldum brings a biopic of triumph and tragedy right in time to please the academy.
The genius of Alan Turing was promptly recognized by Commander Denniston (Charles Dance) and MI6's Menzies (Mark Strong) but being a part of a team that would potentially slow him down wasn't quite the idea of breaking Enigma's codes for Turing himself. Arrogant he is, foolhardy certainly not because his next plan was to build a machine that would defeat a machine rather than spending thousands of man hours in vain. With a smaller team that included the likes of Downton Abbey's Allen Leech, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and Matthew Beard, a building in Bletchley Park was thus dedicated to a one time solution that would end the war sooner. There are challenges with the machine's development and performance, with short timelines that cost lives everyday and with Turing's own idiosyncrasies that make him a difficult team leader. Yet, we ride along till the eventual breakthrough as we simultaneously discover the unfortunate circumstances of Turing's childhood. The stakes at war are so high that every moment in front of the Turing machine represents a nervous gamble but for the determined mathematician, it had to work. He goes to great lengths to ensure the availability of his best resources and in order to ensure Joan's presence in the factory, he marries her even though he can't fake fancying her. Alan Turing was gay and though today's society wouldn't quite undermine his contribution to science on that background, the times back then were completely different. Ignorance and prejudice in Britain meant that homosexuality was deemed illegal and Turing would suffer the consequence of it when his secret would be out.
From the very onset, as the voice in the background says "Are you paying attention? Good. If you are not listening carefully, you will miss things. Important things...", that is Benedict Cumberbatch absorbing you into the life of Alan Turing that he has embodied so brilliantly. Just like Sherlock lacking social traits, Cumberbatch portrays the awkward genius almost naturally. He also adds a layer underneath that shields his homosexuality from his colleagues. Add to it, his arrogance that he somehow manages to support with his intellect and determination. The same condescending genius will not mind sharing a drink at a bar with his friends and celebrating their limited successes. But then there are those extended moments of silence when Turing is simply staring at his machine, hoping, deliberating. Just witnessing Cumberbatch get so immersed into the character is like witnessing the articulation of performing arts. He comes off being so matter-of-fact like when Joan enquires about the job and he very simply states, "We're gonna break an unbreakable Nazi code and win the war" or when he proposes marriage to her. Such interactions bring a lot of credibility and add to the natural depiction of Turing. Cumberbatch is undoubtedly worthy of the Academy award for an astounding performance and a most sincere portrayal of an enigmatic character.
This must also be Keira Knightley's most meaningful role and strongest performance. Her relationship with Turing is out of love for cryptanalysis and helping mankind. They share enough in intellect to disregard any other expectation and Keira embraces these characteristics of Joan Clarke. Allen Leech and Matthew Goode play the sensible contributors to Turing's success and while they are initially weary of his methods, they develop a stronger bond as they witness his unshaken dedication to the mission. Mark Strong and Charles Dance play out their authorities with finesse while Rory Kinnear as the detective seems apt for the role.
Screenwriter Graham Moore has based much of the story on the biography 'Alan Turing: The Enigma' but has suitably dramatized parts to make such a complex subject more engaging. He also had to compress 600 pages into less than 2 hours on film. Morten Tyldum doesn't indulge into technical details too much nor does he over-expose the subject of homosexuality. He always keeps it as Turing's personal secret, just as Cumberbatch manages to. Together with some great performances, this director manages to steer the engagement of the viewer through different phases of Turing's life and also, the great War. It isn't just about the thrill of achieving a breakthrough but also the determination of a complicated genius whose disparity from others was perhaps the reason why he made such a difference to the world. The Turing machine was the genesis of the modern day computer and while Tyldum tells us the story about how Alan Turing changed the world, he also tells us about that very world that destroyed the man.

8.887 on a scale of 1-10.