The Imitation Game (2014)

The Imitation Game treats one of the most important minds of World War II like a genius cliche who can’t tell when he’s being invited to lunch. That’s the main gripe. The script turns Alan Turing into the classic rude loner, adds spy drama, and takes big liberties with what really happened so every scene has a ticking clock. Bletchley Park becomes a heist movie with crossword puzzles. Benedict Cumberbatch rises above it. He plays Turing as awkward, proud and painfully lonely, and his scenes with Keira Knightley’s Joan Clarke are the warmest thing in the film. Matthew Goode is good fun as the rival who comes around. The final stretch, about how Britain treated Turing for being gay, is handled with real sadness and lands hard. It made $233.6 million worldwide on a reported $14 million budget. A 7.2 because the lead performance is better than the formula wrapped around it. $2,773 says you try a crossword this week and think about Joan Clarke the whole time.

What works: Benedict Cumberbatch’s lonely, prickly Turing and his warm friendship with Keira Knightley’s Joan Clarke.

What doesn’t: The script bends real history and turns Turing into a stock rude-genius character just to manufacture extra drama.

Who it’s for: People who like true war stories told through puzzles and brainpower instead of battles.