The Imitation Game, the English language debut by Morten Tyldum (Headhunters), chronicles the shadowy, fascinating life of mathematician, logician, and philosopher, Alan Turing. Depending what type of history book you look in, Turning’s name either has resonance as a master code breaker, spy, thinker, professor, or clandestine lover, and what a renaissance man he truly was gives his story impressive cross-audience appeal that makes The Imitation Game a splendidly engaging experience for many people of many different backgrounds. You won’t wonder why it won the audience award at the Toronto Film Festival. It’s a film that knows how to balance its breezy pace and funnier-than-you’d-expect tone with the tragedy of both World War II and Turing’s personal life, with the film hanging itself on Benedict Cumberbatch’s towering, nuanced performance. He’s never been better, and in a year with a less crowded lead actor category, he’d be a shoe-in for best actor in a leading role. The cast, including Kiera Knightley and Matthew Goode, are also excellent. It’s this year’s The King’s Speech but probably better, and a must-see this awards season.

B+

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