Sunday, November 16, 2014

ALAN TURING ET AL - THE IMITATION GAME

If you have knowledge of Alan Turing's complex personal story, his brilliant mathematical ability; if you can allow for the artistic licence in the direction and production of 'The Imitation Game;' if you can allow for the missing General Post Office Engineer who was so instrumental in designing and building the Enigma code-breaking computers; if you can swallow a disclosure of a top secret event kept under Government wraps for 50 years, you will see a well acted  and interesting film.  It couldn't help but be a good film with its stellar cast, too many to individually talk about. I have picked out a few of the major protagonists

Kiera Knightly gave an excellent characterisation of the clever woman, Joan Clarke, who was in Alan Turing's life. I think it is the first time I have seen her  throw herself wholly into a part that convincingly portrays her character.

The acting versatility of Benedict Cumberbatch is supreme. I have seen and heard Cumberbatch in a number of roles in which he has been brilliant.  His exposition of Alan Turing is amazing. I will not describe it. I don't want to be a spoiler for people who have yet to see the film

John Cairncross is played by Allen Leech, who also appears as Tom Branson in Downton Abbey. He did at first seem to be playing the same type of personable character. As the story progressed, a subtle element of mystery and social distance became evident  Then the twist emerged. It was cleverly paced.

Mathew Goode, not an actor I am familiar with, turned in a strong emotional performance as Hugh Alexander, a guy who, in this film, nurses a dislike of Turing.

There are few external locations. The majority of the scenes take place in about five 'rooms'. It is a filmic theatre technique which strengthens the unfolding story and the human drama.  


The end credits of the film give bullet points of actual fact worth reading. Like everything in film, or theatre detail is compactly distilled. 

This film introduces Alan Turing's achievements and those of his co-workers to the uninitiated.  It may encourage people to read the book on which the film is based. Additionally, it may whet the appetites of people who want to know more about all those clever people who worked at Bletchley Park during World War 2 and the development of the first computers. 

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's always good to read a good review like this.
I don't often to the cinema nowadays but will go and see this film, and the book has gone onto my 'to read' list. Flighty xx

ZACL said...

Hi Mr F,

I hope you enjoy the theatre of the film when you see it and the general story.

Thanks

M xx

Anonymous said...

Very interested to see this good review - I rarely go to films but had already marked this one out as worthy of my attention !

ZACL said...

I felt the film was worth the trip, to see, gilly. We bumped into some scientific minds when leaving the cinema, who had seen the film for the same reasons as us and were content with the experience.

Snowbird said...

Given the review you have given this it's something I'd really go and see now.....and I can't get enough of Benedict Cumberbatch!xxx

ZACL said...

As mentioned, if you allow for what I see as dramatic license, the film was very good. BC is a versatile actor.

Thanks xxx