The Imitation Game

Absolutely amazing. This is a fantastic film, fueled by an Oscar-worthy performance from Benedict Cumberbatch. The Imitation Game is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time, and is the film I am rooting for to win Best Picture this year at the countless awards ceremonies. Not only is Benedict Cumberbatch stellar in his role, but there is no weak link in the entire supporting cast. I'm not a big fan of Keira Knightley, but she is exceptional in her role. There is also a child actor in the movie who not only holds his own against the Oscar worthy performances turned in by the stars, but delivers a noteworthy performance that stands out amongst the rest. One of the strongest aspects of the film is its ability to trigger an emotional reversal in seconds. Not only is the story uplifting and at times immediately countered by the reality of the characters situation, it is also largely sad, heartbreaking and once the story is fully revealed, the pity you feel and emotional trauma conveyed by Cumberbatch is tangible. The script is nearly flawless and the ending is a surprise, made all the more heart-rendering by the fact that the story is true. The Imitation Game can also be quite funny at times, somewhat reminiscent of Cumberbatch's Sherlock. It isn't just a great movie, but a fantastic character study, and a look at a side of war that many of us are not familiar with. The audience also gets insight into the social standards of the time that, despite the advances our society has made in tolerance and equality, many would still consider a problem in today's world. The movie should not be seen as a device for social commentary, but rather the commentary fuels the film, bringing emotional life to an already gripping story, and knowing that the story is true makes it all the more enthralling. The Imitation Game isn't just an amazing movie, but is one of the best movies, if not the best, I've seen in 2014.