This historical thriller starts off by introducing Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), a mathematician, crypt-analyst, logician and computer innovator, who’s hired to work alongside a fellow group of code-breakers for the job of cracking Nazi Germany’s Enigma code, in order to defeat them in World War II.  The solution seems simple to the naked eye, but the Nazis change the code they use at midnight each day, making it a nearly impossible task.  A message is intercepted every morning by the British at precisely 6 each morning, and, from there, the team of code-breakers have a total of eighteen hours to crack the code, until all of their work becomes irrelevant.  The most daunting aspect of this task is that the Enigma code has 159 million million million possible configurations.  To most people, the task would seem impossible, but to Alan Turing and his fellow group of code-breakers, the task is like solving a puzzle.  The film goes on to build the character of Alan Turing, a forlorn teenager who suffered from being socially inept and had a hard time fitting in.  As The Imitation Game progresses, it shows his battle against his superiors on the question of being a Soviet spy, and his struggle to keep his homosexuality a secret from the government who would either put him in jail or force him to take medication to “cure” it.

The film is based on a true story, Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges.  This movie is unforgettable.  Filled with twists and turns, triumphs and downfalls, The Imitation Game is one of a kind.  Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Turing is impeccable, and is the reason why the film is so great.  Keira Knightley brilliantly plays Joan Clarke–Turing’s code-breaking counterpart.  Also, old images and footage of the War of the Nations are skillfully inserted into the plot, closely connecting the audience to that specific time period.  At the ending of the film, the theater was noiseless and people stayed in their seats long after the ending credits had begun to roll.

All aspects of this movie are terrific.  However, the superior part of The Imitation Game would have to be the ending.  Personally, I was almost moved to tears, both of joy and sadness.  You know the director (Morten Tyldum) did a good job when the audience is left in their seats, stiff with silence.  I couldn’t stop thinking about this movie, even after I had left the cinema.  This is perhaps one of the most moving, powerful, and influential films I’ve ever seen.