Imitation Game, The (12/25/2014)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references, mature thematic material and historical smoking.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and Mark Strong

Directed by Morten Tyldum

Certain things happen when true stories get turned into films…usually not accurate things.

Real people become characters with exaggerated qualities, real events get condensed, and some things just get made up plain and simple. All this is done in order to make the real life story fit into the typical three-act structure with a strong dramatic tension…that we expect in a movie.

I knew less than nothing about Alan Turing when The Imitation Game started. When the film ended I went right to Wikipedia. Shocking huh? So here’s what I know, Alan Turing was the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII. Turing went on to assist with the development of computers at the University of Manchester after the war, but was prosecuted by the UK government in 1952 for homosexual acts, which the country deemed illegal.

Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the daunting challenge of playing such a unique and interesting character. And it’s his performance that dominates the film. He is utterly awe inspiring. Also great is Keira Knightley, who plays a fellow cryptanalyst and Turing’s fiancée Joan Clarke. With top-notch supporting cast, particularly Goode, Strong and Dance, the cast rounds out nicely.

In general this is a fantastic story that is well told. It is all about the secrets and deception of WWII… and Turing.

So why is this not Theater Worthy or Worth Buying? Two reasons. The first is the pace. For most of the film the pace drags at an uncomfortable pace. And secondly, the filmmakers try too hard to fit the true story into a traditional movie. As a result we are left with a ton of clichés like the race against the clock, a eureka moment, and the classic “if he goes, I go” speech, all of which feel out of place.

The Imitation Game scores a strong “Rental,” thanks mostly to Cumberbatch and Knightley telling the highs and lows of Turing’s remarkable life.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Besides the mature thematic material, this film has several moderate sex references, mild language, mild violence and war footage.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. How would you describe the Turing’s machine?


2. Do you think the Bible is difficult to understand and intimidating? Why or why not?

READ Romans 15:4 (NLT)

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.


3. According to this verse, how is the Bible different from a code?


4. How will the Bible give us hope?