Albert Einstein. Nikola Tesla. Sir Isaac Newton. All of these are names that we would associate with the word "genius." This film opts to take a look into what just may be one of the most under-appreciated brainboxes in history, Alan Turing. Only just posthumously pardoned and honoured by Queen Elizabeth II last year, Turing was the man who assisted the British government in one of the pivotal roles of World War II, breaking the German code, Enigma. With 159 million million settings (that's 18 zeroes, by the way), the task seemed impossible, with the puzzle only solved by Turing's invention of a machine which went through every possible combination. They later became known as Turing machines. Today, we call them computers. However, the war fades into the background of the film later on as Turing's homosexuality comes to the forefront. This turns the movie more into a tale of the hypocrisy and warped sense of morality humanity often displays. This prosecution led to Turing's suicide and this adds to the shock and horror at the choices we made.
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| Cumberbatch and the rest of the talented group attempt to break the unbreakable code, Enigma |
The acting in this movie is incredible. Simply incredible. Benedict Cumberbatch leads as Turing himself. Cumberbatch puts in a powerful performance as the mathematician and his interactions his other people feel appropriately awkward and uneasy. The end of the movie showcases the actor's ability to show emotion brilliantly as well. Cumberbatch is one of Hollywood's rising stars and I will be amazed if he does not receive a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars for his spectacular performance. Keira Knightley, who I have not really seen for a while, co-stars in this movie as Joan Clarke, a genius level woman who is restricted by the social limitations of women at the time of the film's events. Knightley's performance is also stunning, especially in one of the final scenes of the movie with Cumberbatch, which is amazing to watch and pulls at the heartstrings. Supporting actors Matthew Goode, Mark Strong, Rory Kinnear, and Charles Dance (notice there are not many women in this picture) also deliver excellent performances.
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| Enigma's solution is destined to become one of the most groundbreaking inventions in history and something we still use today. |
There are also many other elements which add to the enjoyment of the film I experienced. Composer Alexandre Desplat has done an incredible job with the score, with the music spiking up during intense sequences of suspense but dipping down to a slow tempo in the emotional scenes. Effects are not something this kind of film really needs but they are shown off in the few wartime London and attack moments there are. Make-up is another area where the film excels, really bringing the time period and dress sense to life, which is important for the immersion of the audience. However, the only complaint I may have is with the narrative structure used. The film has opted to switch between different points of Turing's life to show his persecution at these times, from his childhood to the war to just before his tragic death. I personally had no trouble with this but other may find this slightly confusing.
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| The brilliant set design and makeup succeed in immersing the audience in the time period. |
It is not an overstatement to say that director Morten Tyldum has done a fantastic job in putting together this biopic concerning Alan Turing. This is the definitive account of Turing's life, brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch's electric performance and the rest of the stellar cast, as well as the amazing score and high sense of immersion created by the set designers and makeup artists. This is guaranteed to make an appearance at the Oscars next year in many categories and I urge you to not let this film pass you by as you are distracted by "Interstellar" or "The Hunger Games."
Rating : 9/10
Director : Morten Tyldum
Starring : Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, Mark Strong, Rory Kinnear
Original Release Date : 14th November, 2014
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