Director: Morten Tyldum
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode
‘A Brilliant Biopic’
Few actresses in Hollywood have built legacy as powerful as Keira Knightley. Ever since her rise to recognition during the 1990’s, Knightley has become a legendary actress. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, literary heroines or women in danger, Knightley has portrayed memorable characters. Arguably, Knightley’s strength as an actress has often been her likability. By her abilities to portray characters that are likeable, Knightley has built a legacy that has proven to be powerful. She has never been afraid taking on risky roles that require her to play complex women with a conflicted personality. Knightley is one of those actresses that has poured both heart and soul into every single role. Shining a bright light in darkness, Knightley has proven to be one of the best actresses that’s working in the entertainment business. An iconic British actress, Knightley has become a beloved icon that audiences cherish. Throughout a lasting career, Knightley has portrayed many strong characters in movies that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Knightley and adore all the movies she has made throughout her lasting career. However, “The Imitation Game” is my favourite. Following its release in 2014, Morten Tyldum’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Tyldum’s movie provided an engaging depiction of life of mathematician Alan Turing. It isn’t easy to depict the life of a world famous mathematician in history but Tyldum pulled it off successfully. Packed with bold production, stunning production-design and spellbinding storytelling, it’s one of the finest biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an astonishing performance by Keira Knightley, who portrays an intelligent woman seeking to crack the code in the world war. Ultimately, what makes “The Imitation Game” a masterpiece is its message. The movie delivers a profound message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing historical masterpiece about a mathematician, there are countless strong reasons why “The Imitation Game” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.
Based on the true story, “The Imitation Game” follows the life of a mathematician that sought to make a machine providing value. Benedict Cumberbatch embodies Alan Turing, a strong mathematician with a gift for cracking codes. Turning is a charismatic but socially awkward person that struggles interacting with people. However, Turing’s life forever changes when he designs a machine to prevent warfare disaster. Assisted by his companion Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley), Turning embarks upon a journey to prevent a war that’s forecasted. As he endures tensions, Turing begins wondering whether he will ever be able to crack codes preventing war destruction. Facing a dilemma, Turing starts to question whether he will ever be able to design a machine breaking the code during the WWII era. Determined to leave behind a legacy that is lasting, Turing creates a machine with ability to solve codes that prove essential to the war that’s frightening.
Morten Tyldum is a newcomer towards stories of historical mathematicians. Before he made “The Imitation Game”, Tyldum has never made a movie about a life of a mathematician in his career. It was the filmmaker’s first attempts to capture the lives of mathematicians designing machines that prevented war disaster, but he succeeded tremendously. Through engrossing cinematography, Tyldum conveys an intelligent mathematician which embarks upon a journey to discover his identity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as breathtaking as bold machines Alan Turing seeks to organize. Tyldum expertly uses montages to capture a mathematician seeking to solve codes which win the war. For instance, montages enhance the enigma scene. During this thrilling scene, Alan Turing is excited when he and his fellow code breakers design a code winning the war. One admires montages capturing the bonds of mathematicians that strive to discover identity. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice” did suggest clearly, montages elevate legendary Jane Austen adaptations. Nevertheless, the montages work immensely in this film. Through stunning cinematography, Tyldum celebrates the long-lasting legacy of a commemorated mathematician manufacturing a machine that’s enduring.
Another exceptional aspect of “The Imitation Game” is production-design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Tyldum effectively uses production design to capture value of machines mathematicians design. Throughout the movie, Alan Turing’s machine plays a pivotal role in capturing his identity. For instance, the production design of the machine enhances the argument scene. During this unforgettable scene, authorities arrive on the site of Alan’s home to confiscate his precious machine when he fails to crack the code. One adores production design that captures the lives of mathematicians which decline. Symbolism is a tricky technique to employ in movies. As Gore Verbinski’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” suggested, symbolism elevates films about pirates. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Alexandre Desplat’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that mathematicians often bear. Through phenomenal production design, Tyldum honours a mathematician that sought to design a machine with the capabilities to shine.
Storytelling is one of the major reasons why “The Imitation Game” is a captivating biopic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses flashbacks to capture the lives of mathematicians facing a decline. Tyldum’s screenwriting strength is capturing the struggles faced by a mathematician in history through flashbacks. Throughout the movie, Tyldum deftly uses flashbacks to capture the adversities of a mathematician seeking to change history. The movie deftly switches back and forth between two timelines: Alan Turing’s present-day investigation of the Enigma machine and flashbacks of his traumatic past. For instance, flashbacks enhance the childhood scene. During this unforgettable scene, Alan reminisces tragic memories of his childhood being bullied by peers in school that caused tragedy. Through clever flashbacks, Tyldum creates larger than life mathematicians that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Gavin Hood’s “Official Secrets” proved, flashbacks enhance political dramas about government secrets. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a sensational screenplay, Tyldum captures the lives of mathematicians facing a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Benedict Cumberbatch gives one of his best performances as Alan Turing. Cumberbatch achieved appreciation for playing detectives solving grim murder investigations. With “The Imitation Game”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody the larger-than-life persona of a celebrated mathematician in history but Cumberbatch succeeded tremendously. Cumberbatch has always been one of those actors that has excelled at playing intelligent characters, and his strengths are evident in “The Imitation Game”. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, intelligence and resentments of a mathematician. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
Keira Knightley is captivating as an intelligent woman seeking to create a code which would win warfare. Knightley achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in period piece dramas. With “The Imitation Game”, however, she took on her most intelligent role. It’s a role that have the actress a chance to showcase her talent for portraying characters that are under intense stress. Knightley is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing strong characters through her body language, and her strengths are clearly evident in “The Imitation Game”. Whether she is concentrating on solving a complex code or consoling Alan following the discovery of his illness, Knightley uses body language to create a character that is compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most iconic actresses working today.
Finally, “The Imitation Game” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of mathematicians enduring shame. Unlike most biopics, the film tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. The movie discusses universal themes including identity, education and perseverance which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Alan Turing’s history to appreciate the movie. It delivers a strong message regarding identity which would resonate with everyone. Hence, “The Imitation Game” is one of those rare movies which would ascertain everyone’s appreciation.
Fans of Kiera Knightley will definitely appreciate “The Imitation Game” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A breathtaking historical biopic, it celebrates the legacy of an actress that has built a career which is iconic.
Nearly 90 years after Alan Turing designed a groundbreaking machine that helped crack codes against Nazis proving to be integral towards victories of Allies in a war that was frightening, it’s a captivating reminder of a legendary actress that has gained a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition through her abilities to portray characters that are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 