The Imitation Game

[LJMuppet]

We had red carpet Q&A before film in Enfield.

Not really worth it though. Would rather have had glitch and got free tickets to 2D performance.

Most people played with their phones during Q&A anyway (& some during film)

[stuartboy]

I thought it was pretty good. Cumberbatch was brill - as was Knightley (whose casting as a genius mathematician I was a little sceptical of). But it felt way too Oscar-baity for me, like all the rough edges had been sanded away. Dialogue like "sometimes it is the people who no-one imagines anything of, who do the things no-one can imagine" is unforgivably clunky.

Also the film seemed rather afraid of actually showing Turing in any act of affection towards another man, I think to avoid an R rating in the US. Seems a bit cowardly.

So my verdict: Good, but insubstantial 6/10.

Here's my full review:

http://www.londoncitynights.com/2014/10 ... ed-by.html

To be honest I am quite glad of the implied nature of the homosexuality rather than being explicit in any way as that could be seen as simply titilation or even grubby. I could name several films where nakedness and intimate scenes have been used in this way. I think the implication also lends itself to portraying the private and possibly even clandestine nature that his activities had to take. I feel the balance here was just about right.

[freddig]

Great film, no red carpet in MK, just straight to film. I was curious to see how this would be done live, as most of the time you see red carpet interviews, the've been edited to just sound bites.

[rjm1503]

I saw the film at the Birmingham Vue on Broad street. Very good performances from Cumberbatch and Knightly, really enjoyed the story line moved along at a good pace. 7/10

[yogi]

A wonderful film. Excellent performances and a fantastic balance between the small personal battles and the hugeness of the struggle and the decisions they were involved in.

Hard to fault and hard to praise enough 10/10

[Beate]

Lovely to see shmile, rawsalsa and PXC + friends at Odeon Greenwich, and thanks to PXC for sharing her picnic with us!
Film was packed and we were instructed not to leave any gaps.

I loved it and cried, however I have to deduct a point for some artistic licence (come on, Alan Turing would not even have been allowed to discuss his war-time endeavours with a mere cop, even years later!, plus the "man versus machine" discussion seems to have been tacked on just to make a "no discrimination" point). Also, I still don't understand how enigma worked and they cracked it. You are telling me it only occurred to them some years in that "Heil Hitler" would be in every message? How did they crack that weather report in the first place?

But anyway, Cumberbatch and Goode and even Kneightley were spot on. Would see this again.

9/10

[steve9872]

Also, I still don't understand how enigma worked and they cracked it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine

[Beate]

Thanks, but I wanted the film to tell me!

[funthing29]

I have always been interested about this period of history so knew the story of Turing and Bletchley Park but it was still a compelling watch to see the dramatised version of events. Cumberbatch was excellent and is definitely showing his versatility as an actor. I thought it was cleverly edited to jump back and forth between the three time periods.

I do agree though that it is clearly trying to entice the Oscar judges but still highly recommended. 9/10.

[prettyxcool]

Absolutely brilliant. What a fascinating and amazing story, heartbreaking, moving and tragic. Thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch who was both brilliant and captivating, and for once, I did not find Keira Knightly annoying, and I loved their scenes together. And a special commendation to the young Alan Turing too, an excellent Alex Lawther. I thoroughly enjoyed this spy thriller. One I love to watch again. 9/10