The Real Message To Cipher

The Imitation Game (2014)

A Review By Ben Hunter

5 Out Of 5 Stars

GET TO THE POINT BEN!

Despite making its stance and beliefs clear to the opposed, it shares a vibe we all can get with.

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Cipher, an enigma, the skirmish of undertaking the stressful task of daily coming closer to unearthing the secret of the Second World War.  What was exalted yesterday for nearing victory is now tarnished for the day is a new.  The slate is clean.  The plate is fresh.  We must begin again.  Before it’s too late, and death is among our country in all sense of its purpose. 

Christopher is the first of the “Touring Machines”.  A young lad named Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) inspired what aided Britain in the war in attempting to break enigma, the code that the Nazis used to send messages amongst themselves in the military and government so that only they and their allies could cipher.  With the help of his secret team of cryptographers, among them Joan Clarke (Kiera Knightley) and Hugh Alexander (Matthew Goode), together, they get Christopher up and running on his toes in hopes that he will work and help them crack the code, and win the war. 

The name Christopher comes from Turing’s childhood friend, whom Turing developed feelings for.  These feelings matriculated into fruition and clarity in Turing’s identity.  So in the late 1930’s and so forth, this needed to be kept secret as the world wasn’t as welcoming of such a lifestyle back then as it is today.  

So a lot of secrecy with identity, secrecy with keeping the enigma operation under lock and key, secrecy about who could possibly be hindering the progress and who’s really a spy, a lot is at stake here.  As the German codes reset everyday to keep their secrecy, parties involved directly with the war play their roles involved, insinuating an “imitation game” of what they feel is necessary for their survival.  Ensuing the message of being proud of whom you are.

Engaging, that’s the one word I would use to describe this story.  As forces of authority try to uncover some of the many secrets that be, I could feel myself immersed in this world, an adapted one almost identical to the real one that took place.  It was quite interesting to see what was taking place in Europe during WWII as I’m used to dealing with what happened in America. 

Despite feeling the obvious jab at conservative life, I still could feel my connection to Turing, Joan, the story and all other characters involved.  When the celebrations or the worry and distress took center stage and on queue fulfilled their duties as sufficiently making our attention their home, I was a willful, following audience member having the intended experience. 

I can definitely understand how putting the lion’s share of the forceful boxing glove from the liberal community on “history’s hand” and just say, “well that’s how it happened”.  But there’s a line, even if that is how it happened and we can somehow prove the persecution against Turing was 100% wrong, the relaying of information so all viewers of all beliefs can leave this experience in unison feeling good and wanting to live better lives, THAT’S the real message.  To coexist in unison, and The Imitation Game promotes this radiantly. 

It’s remembering this, where I feel I can forgive any small story points that may go over my head and simply enjoy this powerful story. 

And that’s exactly what I did.  I enjoyed it!

The Imitation Game

Drama, 114 Minutes, PG-13

Based on the Biography: Alan Turing: The Enigma

By: Andrew Hodges

Screenplay by: Graham Moore

Directed by: Morten Tyldum

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kiera Knightley, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong