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Director Morten Tyldum makes this true story of Alan Turing and his team of mathematicians fighting the second world war from their college studies as thrilling and interesting as possible. Benedict Cumberbatch headlines as the socially awkward leader of the group, a closeted homosexual who has a ‘beard’ relationship with a fellow smarty-pants played by Keira Knightley. The drama comes mostly from within the group, who all hate Turing; also from the college dean, who also hates Turing. The most affecting conflict, however, comes later in the movie, when the British government punishes Turing for the crime of homosexuality by chemically castrating him with a weekly dose of estrogen injections. This biopic is like many others, where part of the subject’s life is indeed interesting, but a bit challenging to make into a satisfying three-act narrative. As such, the first two acts are more engaging than the third. With Charles Dance.

Academy Award: Best Adapted Screenplay

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (Cumberbatch), Best Supporting Actress (Knightley), Best Director, Best Editing, Best Score, Best Art Direction