Tag Archives: The Imitation Game

The Rise and Rise of Benedict Cumberbatch

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Benedict_Cumberbatch_SDCC_2014Since becoming a household name with his star-making turn as the iconic Sherlock Holmes, Benedict Cumberbatch has notched up an astoundingly impressive resume of film and TV roles. Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, he’s demonstrated a remarkable range, and gained a hugely loyal fanbase in the process. Often cited for having a startling aptitude for playing geniuses, his latest character is no exception, as he takes on the role of war hero Alan Turing. To celebrate the release of The Imitation Game we take a look back at some of his most memorable roles.

The Imitation Game (2014)

Based on the true story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, this historical biopic recounts the nail-biting race against time by Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The film spans key periods in Turing’s life, from his unhappy years at boarding school and the triumph of his secret work on the revolutionary electro-mechanical ‘Bombe’, which broke the Enigma code, to the tragedy of his post-war decline following his conviction for a now outdated criminal offence. Cumberbatch garnered multiple leading actor nominations for his astounding performance, including for an Academy Award, BAFTA and SAG.

12 Years A Slave (2013)

This multi-award winning historical biopic of Solomon Northup, the free black man from upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery, is regarded as a modern classic and won the Academy Award for Best Picture on its release. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Northup, with Cumberbatch taking the supporting role of William Ford, a benevolent but weak-willed plantation owner who is impressed by Northup’s innovative ideas for running his plantation, but ultimately sells him on to sadistic plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender).

August: Osage County (2013)

Based on the play by Tracy Letts, this darkly comic look at a family in turmoil boasts a star-studded cast, including Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Meryl Street, Julia Roberts, Ewan Macgregor and Margo Martindale. Cumberbatch plays Little Charles, the shy, awkward son of Mattie Fae (Martindale), summoned home by his grandmother (Streep) after his grandfather (Sam Shepard) goes missing- with the ensuing crisis unearthing long-buried secrets and resentments.

Parade’s End (2012)

This BBC mini-series based on Ford Madox Ford’s novels was adapted for the screen by Tom Stoppard and garnered five Emmy nominations. Cumberbatch stars as the protagonist Christopher Tietjens, a conservative, deeply honourable English aristocrat who finds himself in a love triangle between his cruel, calculating socialite wife (Rebecca Hall) and headstrong young suffragette Valentine Wannop (Adelaide Clemens), all against the backdrop of WWI.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

This atmospheric spy drama based on John Le Carre’s novel boasts a star-studded cast which includes Cumberbatch alongside British acting stalwarts Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Colin Firth and Kathy Burke. Nominated for three Oscars, and winning three BAFTAs, it follows ex-spy George Smiley (Oldman) as he is forced out of retirement to investigate an allegation by rogue agent Ricki Tarr (Hardy) that there is a Soviet spy operating within MI6. Cumberbatch plays Peter Guillam, one of several agents who are under suspicion.

War Horse (2011)

Cumberbatch stars alongside Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and Tom Hiddleston in this war epic based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, and directed by Steven Spielberg. The acclaimed drama follows young Albert Narracott (Irvine), separated from his beloved horse Joey when he is sold to the British cavalry and shipped to France. Albert enlists in WWI and embarks on a hopeful, heartbreaking journey to reunite with him, as the war rages on around them. Cumberbatch plays Major Jamie Stewart, leader of the cavalry company and a fellow soldier of Albert’s.

Third Star (2010)

This moving drama stars Cumberbatch as James, a terminally ill young man who embarks on an ill-advised trip with his three closest friends, Davy (Tom Burke), Miles (JJ Feild) and Bill (Adam Robertson), to visit his favourite place on earth before he dies- Barafundle Bay in West Wales. As they make the trip, the bonds of their friendships are tested with comical, poignant results- and a wonderfully heartbreaking performance from Cumberbatch.

Sherlock (2010-2016)

Widely considered to be his breakout role, this BBC series created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss catapulted Cumberbatch into the mainstream, winning him legions of fans and launching him into the A-list. Taking on the titular role, he’s joined by an equally brilliant Martin Freeman as the consulting detective’s best friend and colleague, Dr John Watson, with supporting turns from Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves, Louise Brealey and Andrew Scott. Critically acclaimed and adored, Cumberbatch has won countless praise for his unique, fresh and pitch-perfect portrayal of the beloved literary character, and the show picked up three Emmys in 2014; leading actor for Cumberbatch, supporting actor for Freeman and writing for a miniseries for Moffat.

Atonement (2007)

This heartbreaking wartime drama based on Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel boasts a stellar cast, including Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan and Vanessa Redgrave. When the budding romance between Cecilia Tallis (Knightley) and Robbie Turner (McAvoy) is cut brutally short following a lie told by Bryony Tallis (Ronan), the repercussions span several decades. Cumberbatch provides a brilliant, deeply unsettling and sinister supporting turn as confectioner Paul Marshall, a guest of the Tallis family whose actions reverberate across the lives of the entire household…

Starter for Ten (2006)

Based on the novel by David Nicholls, this British comedy follows the trials and tribulations of student Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a working class student in 1985 who finds himself navigating the campus of Bristol University, and attempting to impress the object of his affections, Alice (Alice Eve), while finally succeeding in his lifelong ambition to win University Challenge. Cumberbatch steals every scene he’s in, demonstrating a brilliant knack for comedy as the socially inept and uptight captain of the team, Patrick Watts.

The Imitation Game is available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download from the 9th March 2015, courtesy of StudioCanal

 

 

 

Keira Knightley’s Top Ten Films

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Keira Knightley , top ten, films, best filmsBritish actress Keira Knightley has accumulated a hugely impressive resume in her 29 years, showing incredible skill and development as an actress, as well as breathtaking movie star looks. With a wonderful aptitude for period pieces, she has a particular talent for portraying brilliant, conflicted and nuanced women- and her depiction of brilliant cryptanalyst Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game, is no exception. To celebrate the home entertainment release of The Imitation Game, we count down some of her most memorable roles.

 

The Imitation Game (2015)
Based on the true story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, this historical biopic recounts the nail-biting race against time by Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The film spans key periods in Turing’s life, from his unhappy years at boarding school and the triumph of his secret work on the revolutionary electro-mechanical ‘Bombe’, which broke the Enigma code, to the tragedy of his post-war decline following his conviction for a now outdated criminal offence. Knightley provides a superb Oscar-nominated supporting turn as Joan Clarke, a fellow cryptanalyst, and Turing’s close friend and confidante.

 

Begin Again (2013)
Knightley shows off some impressive singing talents in this enchanting romantic musical drama, based on the hit musical Once. It follows the repercussions after down-and-out music executive Dan (Mark Ruffallo) chances upon young singer-songwriter Gretta (Knightley) at an open-mic night. Gretta, still reeling from the break up with her rock-star ex Dave (Adam Levine), agrees to collaborate with Dan on an album- recording each of the songs in a different location in Manhattan.

 

Anna Karenina (2012)
The third collaboration between director Joe Wright and Knightley, this adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic novel offered an experimental approach to the source material. Wright chose to set the majority of scenes were shot on a rundown theatre built from scratch in Shepperton. The various locations in the film, such as the train station, and horse stables, were actually built on top of the stage. Knightley takes the lead as the tragic heroine, opposite a stellar cast that includes Jude Law, Domhnall Gleeson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emily Watson.

 

A Dangerous Method (2011)
Knightley takes on the daring role of Sabina Spielrein in this David Cronenberg- directed historical drama which focuses on the tense professional relationship between Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen), as well as Jung’s relationship with Spielrein. Knightley gives a brilliant, sensitive portrayal of the psychologically disturbed Spielrein, who eventually went on to become a talented and respected psychoanalyst in her own right.

 

Last Night (2010)
This little-known ensemble piece, directed by Massy Tadjedin and starring Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Eva Mendes and Guillaume Canet, offers a slow-burning and understated study on the nature of monogamy. Joanna (Knightley) and Michael Reed (Worthington) are seven years into a happy, stable marriage when he is sent on a business trip with a colleague he is fighting an attraction to (Mendes). That same evening, Joanna runs into an old flame and spends the evening considering how things might have been.

 

Never Let Me Go (2010)
This haunting, dystopian drama based on Kazuo Ishiguru’s novel of the same name stars Knightley alongside Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan, and recounts the lives of Ruth (Knightley), Kathy (Mulligan) and Tommy (Garfield), three friends who grow up together in an idyllic English boarding school. However, after they leave the school the horrific truth of their fate becomes apparent, and they are forced to confront the inevitable, while dealing with the ever-present love triangle hanging over them.

 

The Duchess (2008)
This biographical drama chronicles the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, played by Knightley. A celebrity of the time, Georgiana’s charm, kindness, activism and fashion bring her high regard everywhere she goes. But the oppressive restraints of her controlling husband (Ralph Fiennes) lead her into a passionate affair with the younger Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper) highlighting the stark, appalling differences in treatment between men and women in the aristocracy of the 18th century.

 

The Edge of Love (2008)
Written by Knightley’s mother, Sharman Macdonald, this historical drama is loosely based on real events, and focuses on the friendship between two married couples- the poet Dylan Thomas (Matthew Rhys) and his wife Caitlin Thomas (Sienna Miller) and Thomas’s old flame Vera Phillips (Knightley) and her husband William Cillick (Cillian Murphy). Both Knightley and Miller garnered rave reviews for their nuanced portrayals of two women whose genuine, close friendship was built on a fragile foundation of suppressed feelings and suspicion.

 

Atonement (2007)
This heartbreaking wartime drama based on Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel boasts a stellar cast, including Knightley, James McAvoy, Saiorse Ronan, Benedict Cumberbatch and Vanessa Redgrave. When the budding romance between Cecilia Tallis (Knightley) and Robbie Turner (McAvoy) is cut brutally short following a lie told by Bryony Tallis (Ronan), the repercussions span several decades. Knightley provides a masterfully reserved and heartbreaking turn as the stoic Cecilia, and Wright’s tackling of the novel’s twist ending is a particular masterstroke.

 

Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Joe Wright’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous work earned him a BAFTA for most promising newcomer and follows the trials and tribulations of the five Bennett sisters after two eligible bachelors move into town- Mr Darcy (Matthew MacFayden) and Mr Bingley (Simon Woods). Wright was famously reluctant to cast Knightley in the lead role of Elizabeth Bennett, deeming her ‘too attractive’… until he met her, and realised her tomboyish attitude was ideal for the role. Knightley provides a brilliantly fresh portrayal of a beloved literary character, which led to her first Academy Award nomination.

 

The Imitation Game, arrives on Blu-ray™, DVD and digital platforms on 9th March 2015, courtesy of StudioCanal