wild

one of my all-time favourite films is sean penn's into the wild
a true story of a college dropout going awol and hiking into alaska
that film aided very much by a great soundtrack from eddie vedder
so my first reaction of hearing about this one was - it better be good
this a true story also - so - similar premise - similar title - i'm skeptical
reece witherspoon on lead acting and producer duties - she well into it
she plays the part of cheryl strayed - the subject of a book now this film
first seen clambering to the top of a tall peak and unloading her bulky pack
boots off to reveal bloodied feet and oops - knocks a boot off into a long drop
tantrum - the other boot thrown after it - hmmm - that seems unlikely - skeptic
and back in time we go - she then shown being deposited at the start of the trek
struggling big-time with the fully loaded pack - it looks just too staged for me
but she persists and heads off admonishing herself for the folly of her plan
and back further - she then shown as a late teenager at home with mom
played by laura dern - the mother/daughter relationship looks plausible
bobby (mom) is also studying in an attempt to improve her lot in life
in rocks cheryl's younger brother and a mate - mom starts cooking
bobby is a bundle of apparant happiness - which annoys cheryl
'we''re fucked mom - how can you be so happy' - cause i have you
then jump back to the pct - pacific crest trail - and a 'day 1' sub-title
cheryl struggles to pitch her tent, has the wrong gas - another tantrum
and another flash-back - this time to the final day of her relationship
an amicable parting of the ways with paul after 7 years - he's over it
seems she has cheated on him - lots - her real personality coming out
and so it goes - trail, flashback, trail, flashback - time equally split
the early days on the trail announced one by one as she settles in
along the way she encounters other trekkers and small town people
she bums a ride and then a meal with a farmer and his obese wife
so not exactly into the wild - and the music - a few snatches only
not sure about this film - nothing too revelatory happening so far
another flashback - mom has cancer - so 2 distraught children
she dies in hospital - cheryl's reaction - drugs and sex - lots
scenes of both - shooting up heroin and implied hard-core
a relief to get back on the trail then - ah - redemption - got it
the mandatory wildlife scenes - rattlesnake, coyotes and bugs
cheryl handling the snake but screaming at the bug - such a girl
encounters with men always suggesting sex is their priority
only fellow naive teenage boy trekkers seem harmless males
even the good-looking kind-hearted chap she meets beds her
conclusion - men are shallow - and cheryl has deep issues
95 days later and she reaches trip's end - bridge of the gods
the celebratory el condor pasa tune now played loud and long
as she stands looking out her voiceover announces her future
happily married - couple of kids - all is good in her world
right - thanks - one very rushed ending to this 2 hour film
and of course the slideshow of the real cheryl then shown
similar looks - same t-shirts, same tattoos - take a bow reece
seems like one last pitch for authenticity - this woman is real
ok - but still not very likable - i mean - she took a long hike
maybe in the land of obese and lazy that is of significance
but - no empathy from me - for her or for her country
this film makes outback america even less appealing
and damn the title - wild - ah - i see - that's her
but tamed by nature - cute - but not deep
sorry reece witherspoon - very average
sean penn's film still top of the heap...

unbroken

ladeez and gentlymen - introducing the one and only - angelina jolie
so much talk about this film being the directional debut of the lady
well at least her first b-i-g feature film with some ginormous budget
seen the trailer so many times i feel like i have seen the film already
thus expectations - none - the mind is open as it cranks into action
beautiful sunrise shot and pan right to see a squadron of aircraft
world war 2 bombers - on board one of them is louis zamperini
he the subject of this bio-pic played by englishman jack o'connor
impressive and authentic looking scenes inside one of the planes
confirmation of the likely budget and the director's eye for detail
zamperini is the bombadier seen at work as they near their target
a promise ' to light it up like christmas' as a large factory is seen
bombs away - then wry smiles as a large explosion cloud forms
presumably on a japanese island base - then the zeroes attack
scarily good scenes then of machine-gunfire being exchanged
fighters downed and various air-crew shot up and a limp home
a crash-landing on their island base and relief as part one ends
and so back in time we go to see lz as an immigrant schoolboy
a loner - bullied - a petty thief and worry for his italian parents
but his elder brother nurtures him as his athletic talent is spotted
seen running on a tree lined avenue - pan up, down - now a man
he wins some big races so gets sent to berlin for the 1936 olympics
bro's parting words - 'a moment of pain is worth a lifetime of memories'
in his chosen 5,000 metre race - no medal but an astonishing last lap
caught the eye and handshake of hitler but no mention of that here
so part 2 finishes quite clinically - it's all very well done but, but...
next - fast forward back to the lads now on another flying mission
search and rescue for a downed plane but their one dies mid-flight
a crash into the sea and only 3 survivors - more impressive scenes
they clamber onto a couple of liferafts - now adrift in the pacific
what an ordeal - for them too no doubt - it goes on and on and on
just too many unlikely scenarios as jolie wants us to empathise
fashionable goaties grow, hair does not, a shark is hauled on board
47 days adrift then 'rescued' by the japanese - part 3 - over (phew)
in the prisoner-of-war camp the commander singles out our hero
he's a bit of a boy though (played by miyavi - a japanese pop star)
his character nicknamed 'the bird' then sets out intimidating lz
screams at him and continually pummels him with his staff
he lines up all the other prisoners to punch him one-by-one
no doubt true but - no blood, no broken skin, no bruising
at which point she has lost me - it's actually quite boring
proven by an irresistable urge to close the eyes for a bit
alerting to catch the scene of him holding a large beam aloft
'if he drops it - shoot him' - na - up it goes - screaming defiance
thinking - christ-like - skinny man in rags and large piece of wood
intentional? - well everything else in this film is clearly micro-managed
and finally - the end of the war - the yanks arrive - yay - we are saved
the final scene - a heroes welcome stateside and with his loving family
the compulsory real-life photos shown and the rest-of-life footnotes
louis became a christian and embarked on a mission of forgiveness
real footage then shown of him carrying the olympic torch in japan
aged 80 - a few seconds of film that kind of redeemed 2 hours of it
ms jolie - technically on top of it - the attention to detail impressive
but just no - soul - nothing to latch on to - nothing to actually f-e-e-l
the huge orchestral score (alexandre desplat) tries to inspire that
but it just seems too ponderous to me - and the final clincher
as the credits roll - a new tune from wunderband coldplay
she throws everything at this film - but - nothing sticks
which makes me feel quite sad for louis zamperini
another case of a celebrity highjacking a real story
the imitation game of hollywood strikes again...

still alice

julianne moore - i'm looking for an act of redemption
the last film seen of hers - maps to the stars - what a stinker
lots of rave reviews though - me - na - she ok but hated the film
we are in new york - a family dinner for alice's (moore) 50th birthday
alec baldwin back in his revolving door role of the husband and father
eldest daughter anna and husband charlie talking about ivf treatments
son tom late to the dinner and some ribbing about a lack of girlfriend
all very cosy and happy-family-ish - ms moore looking very comfy
she then seen in los angeles presenting a paper to a large class at ucla
she introduced as a world famous professor and author on linguistics
superb acting as she confidently demonstrates her expert knowledge
this film is about the early onset of alzheimers so we expect a trip-up
sure enough - one word lost - the in-flight glass of champagne blamed
then another one dropped in a taxi as she is playing a word-game app
a visit to daughter lydia (kristen stewart) struggling to get acting work
but her smart mother not happy - 'go to college - you need a backup plan'
back in new york alice is out for a run and through the columbia campus
looking quite regal too in the autumn weather - but - then she loses it again
completely dis-oriented for a few minutes in this place she knows so well
back home and hubby john (baldwin) routinely asks about her run, trip, etc
rushing out - he very busy too as a successful and ambitious research doctor
so far so good - all the main players introduced with alice (moore) dominating
pre-screening reading advising she is a constant and appearing in every scene
one cynic suggesting also this film is a big oscar-grab - yep - i can see that
alice knows something is wrong with herself so a neurologist is consulted
a probing of her background revealing some sad facts of alice's childhood
her mother and sister killed in a car accident when she was only 18
some grainy footage then screened of the 3 of them on a sunlit beach
not entirely sure of the context of this though some emotional baggage?
dr benjamin continues to fine-tune tests and asks alice to bring in john
eventually confirming the early onset of familial (hereditary) alzheimers
a 50/50 chance of her children also having the disease and are informed
this the turning point in the film as alice's mental decline then kicks in
a gradual and very convincing portrayal of the effect of the nasty disease
tearing at alice and her family who mostly provide the essential support
alice is no martyr though and is seen addressing an alzheimers convention
she also has the wherewithal to record a video to herself for a future suicide
revolving around a simple daily test - if she fails then take the hidden pills
the delibitating effect of the disease demonstrated well in a theatre scene
the family watching lydia in a play and alice talking to her backstage later
not as her mother though - she congratulates her as though a stranger
one plot development sees john wanting to relocate to milwaukee
the cad (baldwin - as usual) considers his career over his ailing wife
it is all so believable - and i'm looking for holes - ms moore is so good
she stumbles on the video which cleverly provides a then/now contrast
aware that film time is nearly up this seems to be a logical conclusion
a happy ending was never going to happen - but she is interrupted
no suicide - unexpected - instead a suggestion of a long life ahead
for she is in top condition physically - the cruelty of the disease
the film then closing with a vacuous look on alice's face
as she stares into the eyes of her daughter lydia
who has recited a beautiful excerpt of a play
what's it about mum - it's about love
yes it is mum - yes it is - weep...
(give that lady an oscar)

a thousand times good night

ah - yes well - juliette binoche - makes this an instant must-see
interesting synopsis too - she plays rebecca who is a war photographer
faced with her own conflict - husband and 2 daughters need her at home
not much more known as the film rolls with a strange opening sequence
a slit of light with specks of something illuminated - snow? rain? mist?
the acting credits shown in small font - including larry mullen jnr - what?
then a hatch is opened and bright sunlight in a very arid place - ah - dust
rebecca (binoche) steps out clad in full flowing black robes and headgear
large and expensive looking camera in hand and clicking away rapidly
what appears to be a funeral - an open grave with a woman lying in state
but her eyes open and she is then guided up and out and into a courtyard
seen loaded up with a vest packed with explosives - a suicide bomber
the graveside scene presumably her choice of ritual prior to death
no words exchanged as she embraces all the other women present
rebecca asks and allowed to travel with her in the departing vehicle
tension already high as they get through a roadblock in a busy city
as rebecca leaps she fires more photos and a policeman then alerted
chaotic scenes as she yells at people to run and then the bomb detonates
rebecca knocked to the ground and unconscious - and questionably dead
some suggested death scenes ensue set to some appropriately moving music
me - wow - too much - too good - this is shaping up to be one stunning film
in hospital husband marcus advises she has been airlifted from kabul to dubai
then seen driving up to a friends place in ireland and waiting daughters
tom (mullen jnr) and wife then host rebecca's family for a nervous meal
with it the first signs of the effect her job choice is having on marcus
he digs in then at home denies an affair and finally lets it all out
the constant fear of a bad news phone call messing with his emotions
elder now teenage daughter steph also holds a distance from mum
tears streaming as she begs her mother 'when will it end mum?'
brilliant acting from all making for a totally believable scenario
with it a series of scenes showing rebecca embracing her family
and a decision to abandon her career to focus on those who need her
her stunning photos of the suicide bomber the last sent to new york
eventually marcus convinces her to take steph to africa on a safe job
in kenya mother and daughter are very close but danger is lurking
the supposed safe refugee camp they are at gets attacked by rebels
rebecca sends steph to safety as she throws herself into the fray
her addiction back with a vengeance and her daughter despairing
all the recovery work undone but an agreed secret between them
returning home to ireland and marcus eventually learns the truth
steph has filmed the whole episode so there is no denying the facts
he flips out and sends rebecca packing - she is now very alone
totally mesmerising - big wide shots of her on a beach at night
eventually a call from her new york boss and an offer of work
a return to kabul to capture some more photos of the 'group'
back there and full circle to the opening scenes of the film
but this time a teenage girl being wired up with a bomb
this has a profound affect on rebecca  - she cannot shoot
and with it a self-realisation it has ended - no more for her
please end now - yes - perfect - a beautiful song running
me - pinned to my seat - stunned - a totally faultless film
ms binoche surely in the best role of her long career
all other major actors well cast and giving their all
larry mullen jnr also turning in a fine performance
and norwegian writer/director erik poppe - brilliant
repeat viewing and rave recommendations imminent...

american sniper

as one reviewer so eloquently described the target audience for this war flick
this is not a film hand-wringing peaceniks like myself are going to flock to
pretty well summing up my initial thoughts - na - give that one a miss
but - needed a fix - seen everything else on the tick list - give it a go
a win-win really - it will be as bad as expected - or it might not be
a faint hope that clint eastwood may produce another great film
straight into the action in iraq with an american armoured patrol
a huge lumbering tank and heavily armed soldiers going door to door
our man chris kyle (bradley cooper) positioned prone on a nearby rooftop
looking for danger through the telescope of his clearly high-powered rifle
a woman and boy sneak out - he has a grenade - permission given to shoot
bang - back a couple of decades and as a boy kyle shoots his first deer
redneck texan father then seen teaching his 2 boys the meaning of life
3 types of people - sheep (wimps) wolves (baddies) and sheep-dogs (us)
we gotta protect the flock boys - that's our job - no sheep in this family
thinking - this is bordering on a piss-take but sadly nope - it's for real
skip forward and the brothers then seen as tough-nut rodeo cowboys
and tougher still - kyle evicts his cheating girlfriend and her lover
eyes glaze over as he sees on tv the american embassy bombing
a calling for this sheep-dog - he signs up as a specialist navy SEAL
the toughest of the tough with scenes then of their physical training
looking more like outtakes from a stripes film - badass leaders to boot
a pickup scene in a bar snags taya (sienna miller) - he is so irresistible
more eye-glazing as they then watch live footage of the 9-11 attack
they marry and on the big day - woo-hoo - they get the callup - iraq
back to the rooftop and bang - he does take out the woman and boy
with the rushed background eastwood now thinks we have empathy
and off we go - this is where he wants to be - the first tour of duty
kyle picking off baddies as his cohorts smash it up door to door
high-tech gear in abundance as they totally intimidate the locals
the scenes so well done i am thankful at least for a reality check
but hoping forlornly for some respite and a sniff of decency
forget it - we are repeatedly told they are all 'fuckin savages'
the end of the first tour and back home with the little lady
he's a bit distracted though - watches tv news of war footage
she now pregnant and waves goodbye as he goes back again
and so the pattern repeats  - 4 tours - 1000 days - 160 kills
the big final battle scene and he is onto his enemy nemesis
also a skilled sniper - slow motion shot of the bullet that kills
kyle so good he picks him off lying on a rooftop a mile away
a sand-storm whips up and chaotic scenes of the boys bailing
racing off in a vehicle - where's kyle - open the door - voila
somehow he's managed to keep up with the speeding truck
crikey he's such a superdude - then relief - back 'stateside'
the bit i'm looking forward to - an expose of post-war stress
we see kyle staring at a blank tv and talking to maimed vets
then magically he seems all good and playing the perfect dad
final scene - goes off to a shooting range with one of the vets
end of film - a line of text advising he was murdered there
then actual footage of the legend's funeral procession
two hours later - my feeling - complete ambivalence
but post screening review reading and this summary

American Sniper is precision-targeted at complete fucking morons. This is a hagiography of a literal mass-murderer - straight-up pornography for those who get off on seeing poor people being bloodily dispatched by high-powered weaponry. Its Manichean philosophy affirms flag-waving nationalism aka the vile ideology of those who will happily carry out whatever atrocity they're ordered to by their superiors. And it's got the gall to say we're the sheep.  

hagiography - book making someone's life better than it was
manichean - morale course of action based on good vs evil
could not have put it any better - waste of time - nope
an affirmation of the perception of the american way
spend up big destroying things - then make some films
got to keep those sheep moving in the 'right' direction
good thing eastwood is 80+ else it'd be clint for prez
this film - win-win - as bad and better then expected...

pride

i missed this one first time around on main release
but it seems to have an after-life and back on the big screen
main reservation then - 1980's england - true story - miner's strike
the story pretty well told in various reviews and those mostly average
plus - bill nighy and imelda staunton - i want to like them but - well....
a twinge of social conscience and a lack of other options does the sell
mark ashton is gay and living in london - a tv news story catches his eye
margaret thatcher doing the 'never surrender' speech re the coal miners strike
then seen appealing to his friends about how much they share with the miners
hated by thatcher, the government, the media and the police - 'we have to help'
so a small rabble of gays and lesbians use a gay pride march to pass the bucket
young (straight) joe gets caught up in the march - some sympathy for the cause
following scenes of him and the gang partying it down in 1980's london town
the smiths played loud and the fashions and haircuts also wound up to the max
thinking - this is why i had reservations - but - relax - lets go with the promise
the buddies then form a group lgsm - lesbians and gays support the miners
but some difficulty getting the raised funds to be accepted by the straights
so a decision to accept an invitation to a welsh town and deliver in person
then some revealing and realistic scenes of an absolute clash of cultures
in this time and in this place homophobia is very much alive and kicking
but several sympathetic and grateful locals provide the required shield
our two main stars providing those roles and looking very comfortable
it is so feel-good that being based on a true story actually redeems it
including a brilliant dance scene with one of the gang going crazy
jonathan (dominic west) hamming it up to 'shame, shame, shame'
full-on disco dancing including table-tops that is a real highlight
(up there with a similar scene from the superb film intouchables)
music and dance thus providing the means to seal the camaraderie
including a friendship between a grey-set lady and 'my 2 lesbians'
it kind of feels clinically stereo-typed but there's a real heart to it
more so when back in london the miner's spokesman makes a visit
and a role reversal - he then in hostile territory in a full-on gay bar
but a stirring speech acknowledging their common ground saves him
again/still - almost cloyingly cliched but the sense of reality overrides
it's actually a great ride we are on and so going with it is the only way
various sub-plots are then cleverly played out with alternating visits
welsh gay gethin makes a first visit in 16 years to his disapproving mum
a hateful widow undermines (oops) the fun calling in the hostile media
young joe finally comes out and grows up when confronting his family
and a sign of the times - hiv/aids is a big issue and often discussed
so lots going on and possibly a little too much as it does start to drag
fortunately the finale wraps things up nicely with everyone gathered
a huge march in 1985 london headed by the national miners union
busloads of miners show up to show solidarity with gay groups
the text rolling at the end of the film providing sobering facts
thatcher defeated the miners but their support of gays telling
the only national union to fully endorse gay rights legislation
meaning a change in law that otherwise would have lapsed
sadly though mark ashton died of aids at the age of 26
a bit of a sad ending to a very entertaining film
informative too - a fine balance is achieved
a great social history lesson for everyone...

birdman

so much appealing about this film but 2 main factors
mexican director - alejandro g inarritu - babel and biutiful
and mexican composer - antonio sanchez - pat metheny group
enough said - the buzz about the film of no consequence - i'm in
bold black white and red lettering opening the film in staccato style
a way cool solo jazz drum sequence playing as the credits roll
and a quote from raymond carver piques the interest levels
and did you get what you wanted from this life even so
i did - and what did you want - to call myself beloved
to feel myself beloved on the earth
opening scene - riggan thomson (michael keaton) in his room
levitating - and other objects also seen to move mysteriously
he being reprimanded by a mysterious voice - ah - the muse
then seen moving from room to stage - fellow actors at work
a kitchen scene from 'what we talk about when we talk about love'
rehearsal only - one male not up to it - sacked - riggan also director
then frantic back-stage scenes and a sense of the urgency of it all
and a realisation this has all been one shot - russian ark-ish - yay
not quite - some clever and obvious transitions are being utilised
the solo jazz drumming used at those times - me - totally hooked
edward norton then enters as the new actor and the sparring begins
clever stuff - actors playing actors being actors - lines are blurred
the main man riggan also has a past mega-hit franchise (birdman)
with it an obvious reference to keaton's previous role as a batman
so many layers - so absorbing - so well cast - so balanced - so good
naomi watts steps up and blitzes any prior role as fellow actor lesley
emma stone as riggan's daughter sam - those eyes - totally rivetting
there's the ex-wife and the theatre critic also - all strong female roles
a real sense that director alejandro innaritu is well in awe of women
blah, blah, blah - just so much on offer in this beautifully crafted film
but back to the story - riggan is struggling to prove himself as genuine
not just a celebrity but a serious actor and director - but with it a sad life
infidelity and career costing him his marriage and his daughter's respect
surely also another nod to real life for many caught up in film/stage
one scene from carver's play is used repeatedly in the film itself
this set in a motel room and a husband busting his cheating wife
he then producing a gun and threatening then taking his own life
end of play but seen each time in the film the intensity increases
off-stage riggan is also having some real life relationship problems
his ex-wife, daughter, girlfriend all adding to his state of despair
sam stunningly screaming at him regarding his place in the world
'you're nobody - you don't even have twitter or a facebook page'
and his muse - not seen but heard pushing him to do a sequel
resurrect birdman - it will make billions - a loud, deep voice
riggan hits the bottle for escape but with it more complications
the pace is frenetic and so much going on but brilliantly managed
it's impossible to predict how it's going to end as the final act starts
a real gun and a real shooting in the motel scene - does riggan die?
possibly - we now see birdman hovering over riggan's shoulder
pushing him again and now fantastical scenes of the big sequel
downed helicopters, explosions and a transformer-ish monster bird
riggan seen flying above it all as though in after death out of body
but then a cut back to a hospital bed - he has a blown off nose only
his ex-wife lovingly by his side and sam also makes a forgiving visit
the play - receiving rave reviews - sam has set up a twitter account
85,000 followers in one hour - proving cross generational success
seems he has now the love he craved for and suggested at the start
but then left alone - his muse cowering in the bathroom - 'fuck off'
an opening of the window - out on to the ledge and then he is gone
sam re-enters - dad? - her stunning eyes then up high and smiles
the end - whoa - what a ride - 2 hours of a full-on intense film
so so much to like about this film and a want to see it again
and the soundtrack - the solo jazz drumming just brilliant
keaton and norton - top stuff - oscars for both of them
and director alejandro inarritu - surely the same
9 nominations apparantly - it should clean up
i reckon - 5 stars from me - loved this film...

love is strange

the decision to see this film made a relatively long time ago
on the pick list for nziff 2014 but scheduling issues precluded it
but fortunately it has now made general release five months later
confession though - me the straight guy had slight reservations
but very strong reviews suggesting it is a film for all film lovers
if opens with ben (john lithgow) and george (alfred molina) waking
then seen going about nervously dressing for an important occasion
depart from their small apartment and out on to the new york streets
all cabs full so they hoof it but gently - don't want to work up a sweat
i'm liking it - here their conversation is naturally lost in the street sounds
destination - an outdoor wedding - theirs - in front of families and friends
an intimate party back at their pad afterwards and a singalong under way
the 2 lads co-sharing piano and singing duties with bountiful affection
looking good - early impression - america does art-house very well here
the acting superb with both molina and lithgow endearing in their roles
george then seen as a dedicated music teacher at a catholic high school
but then sacked under orders from above following his public wedding
their perilous financial position exposed and so family are gathered
private music lessons (george) and artist income (ben) not enough
so a decision to sell their apartment and seek cheaper rental digs
quickly - they need temporary accommodation in the meantime
the only solution is for them to split into separate arrangements
ben moves in with nephew elliot his wife kate and his son joey
george takes up digs with ted and roberto - 2 gay new york cops
so far so good - all very natural feeling of life in the big smoke
more so as ben settles in - he shares a bedroom with young joey
a teenage boy with issues of his own and busy distracted parents
he directs, she writes - all of them kind as can be to interloper ben
but discomfort sets in as the 4 of them struggle with lack of space
similarly george is squirming with the constant stream of visitors
parties are a nightly event but he puts on a brave face and smiles
clever film - characters and situations all so realistic and familiar
the pace is slow to glacial but no doubt very much intentional
when ben and george meet socially we sense and feel their love
but a conclusion is required - ben takes a tumble down some stairs
george in a chance encounter at one of the parties snags an apartment
they seen in a great long shot in an alley at night discussing their future
a sense the film could end there - no - ben then seen entering the subway
maybe then - no - next scene and george now seen in the new apartment
a surprise visit from young joey - ben has died - a painting is produced
this done by ben of joey's friend on the rooftop of their home building
tears flow and joey then skates off to meet his new latino girlfriend
a sense of a transition from one (old) couple to a younger couple
and life goes on - in a city full of diverse ages, races, sexualities
a very, very good film - normal people with normal issues
and lesson taken - gay/straight - totally irrelevant - thanks

the imitation game

finally - the real deal - after seeing the trailer multiple times
one of those films where you kind of know it before you see it
but main man benedict cumberbatch has appeal factor to spare
and of course always good to see a piece of history dramatised
in this case alan turing (cumberbatch) is the man being celebrated
confusing opening scene set in 1951 with turing in police custody
then back to 1939 and he is seen being interviewed for a covert job
this at a radio factory hosting a secret project to crack the enigma code
a team of intellectuals being assembled to decipher nazi war messages
from the outset turing is seen as precise, literal, direct and confident
his achievements at his age (27) compared to other historical geniuses
the interviewer not fussed about turing until he drops the enigma word
an assurance the code can and will be cracked which gets him the gig
then another time shift showing him as a boy and writing coded notes
passed to a boy in his class who he clearly pangs for - the seed is sown
back at the factory turing buddies up with joan clarke (keira knightly)
their relationship (and star-power) set up as central to the film's plot
the team then gets to work and the facts and figures are tossed around
a staggering number of iterations need to be tested on the messages
a machine is designed and built to crunch the data to find the code
turing's personification of it is complete as he names it christopher
the years pass while the war rages and seen in some actual footage
there's some angst with the suggestion of a russian spy in the camp
tension also as the government grows tired of the lack of results
and a surprise proposal from turing to joan to keep her on the case
more so as another flashback shows the reveal of his homosexuality
and the shock of the death from illness of his first real love - christopher
more time then spent in 1951 and clear now that his sexuality is an issue
back in the main story a sudden revelation finally cracks the enigma code
'heil hitler' ending every coded message providing the source of a pattern
the allies then able to translate signals and use (or not) to their advantage
success and some very deliberate playing of the importance of their work
the team is disbanded and instructed to keep the entire project a secret
forward to 1951 and turing the unknown hero charged with indecency
forced onto hormone treatment to 'fix' his sexuality - suicide follows
end of film - and some very revealing statistics roll in the credits
2 million lives saved by the code crack ending the war quickly
over 50,000 british men charged with being homosexual
2013 - the year the queen overturns turing's charges
all good - made me appreciate the film just witnessed
for i did not really as i was watching it - for some reason
not sure what - possibly the very proper englishness of it all
i sat there mostly impressed with the acting effort on display
2 major leads and a bunch of wannabees - it just felt - staged
a sense of  the overt celebration of an actor more than the act-ee
this graphically demonstrated in the film poster - bc is the enigma
plenty of 5 star reviews unanimous in the praise of cumberbatch
no doubt - he steals the show entirely - hence my reservations
the celebration of turing's work played like second fiddle
cynically thinking - the spectre of oscar larger than alan?
this an entirely personal and guilt-loaded summation
the film will be very properly recommended...