The Imitation Game is a prime example of a “Hollywood” biopic.
These films are movies that use as their
subject a famous person, generally a hero, who is played by a popular and respected
actor. In this case it is Alan Turing played by Benedict Cumberbatch. These
films take historical events and turn them into classic narrative formulas
(i.e. beating the odds, rise and fall). They are generally well directed and
they have an agenda that they wish to promote. These assertions about the
Imitation Game are neither positive nor negative but rather simply stating the
formula which it follows. Luckily for viewers, the Imitation game follows this
formula very well.
This story of the genius who helped crack the German coding
machine is a narrative of highs and lows. We have scenes of great
accomplishment as well as scenes of great despair. It all centers on Alan
Turing, a man whose life was seemingly full of these moments of exhilaration
and despair. Events from his childhood up until his tragic death are intercut
to form this story and I was surprised at some of the skill with which the
intercutting was done. What was most surprising to me was the amount of humor
and wit laced throughout the script. It really helps to bring the audience into
the story, which is something that is necessary for a film like this to work.
Another key to the success of a “Hollywood” biopic is the
acting. Cumberbatch carries the film with his wonderful performance. There are
certainly shades of Sherlock here but he makes Turing his own. The rest of cast
does well but their characters are not as “fleshed-out” as Cumberbatch’s. This
is one of my complaints about the film: some of its characters are simply
uninteresting. These people act like people in a movie and thus are
predictable. Turing is the only one that seems real, while the others feel like
plot devices.
The direction of the film is quite good and brings across the
message quite well. This message is brought through with a power that never
borders on preaching. The Imitation Game is a good film and a perfect example
of a formulaic biopic but due to its stock characters it does not surpass the formula.
For most however, it won’t have to. 4/5
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