BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / The Imitation Game (spoiler thread for those who have seen it)

**Posted by Ivy** January 25, 2015 7:53 pm

Saw it today, what a beautiful film. You laugh, you cry, wonderful acting by BC. And although he can be an ass, you are always on his side. And even Keira didn't annoy me like she usually does.

**Posted by SusiGo** January 25, 2015 10:39 pm

I watched it again tonight. A maths professor gave an interesting introduction and answered questions afterwards. And guess what, they had an original 1934 Enigma machine and I even got the chance to press a letter. You had to wear gloves for it. The cinema was sold out and they will repeat the event on 1 March. In case anyone lives near Bonn - highly recommended.

**Posted by tonnaree** January 25, 2015 10:52 pm

Oh wow. Susi that's just awesome.

**Posted by SusiGo** January 26, 2015 7:54 am

Yes, it was amazing to touch an original machine.

And here are some small obversations about the film:

And a small thing I love every time - when Hugh fetches Joan to dance you see Alan's face in close-up. He first looks quite happy and then you can literally see how he starts to think about Hugh's sex joke and the what consequences his proposal to Joan might have and he turns sad. The wonderful thing is that he does not change his expression, he does not move an inch, and yet you can see that something in him has broken.

And another thing - I think in the Carlisle scene you can see very well how Benedict's tears are real and Matthew Beard's (who is wonderful here) are not. Because whenever Benedict cries in a film his eyes turn red and those of the other actors who use glycerine or whatever do not.

**Posted by SolarSystem** January 26, 2015 8:44 am

SusiGo wrote:
And guess what, they had an original 1934 Enigma machine and I even got the chance to press a letter.

That really sounds amazing. Makes it even more real. Wow.

**Posted by SusiGo** January 26, 2015 8:52 am

Yes, and it was a surprise, I only knew about the lecture by the maths professor, not that they would provide a real machine.

Btw, in case anyone is interested - so far Benedict got 22 best actor nominations for the film. He won only once but still, a remarkable achievement.

**Posted by gently69** January 26, 2015 9:20 am

SusiGo wrote:
I watched it again tonight. A maths professor gave an interesting introduction and answered questions afterwards. And guess what, they had an original 1934 Enigma machine and I even got the chance to press a letter. You had to wear gloves for it. The cinema was sold out and they will repeat the event on 1 March. In case anyone lives near Bonn - highly recommended.

Yeah, that was an interesting event. Different to a normal film night. And yes, the original Enigma machine was fascinating.

SusiGo wrote:
And another thing - I think in the Carlisle scene you can see very well how Benedict's tears are real and Matthew Beard's (who is wonderful here) are not. Because whenever Benedict cries in a film his eyes turn red and those of the other actors who use glycerine or whatever do not.

As you're mentioning it, yes, it's really amazing how Benedict can cry just beccause he wants to. Makes these scenes even more convincing.

Last edited by gently69 (January 26, 2015 9:21 am)

**Posted by nakahara** January 26, 2015 9:48 am

The movie will finally have a premiere here where I live this week. About time - for me it feels as if it came after hundreds of years, the waiting was soooo long.

**Posted by SolarSystem** January 26, 2015 9:51 am

gently69 wrote:
SusiGo wrote:
And another thing - I think in the Carlisle scene you can see very well how Benedict's tears are real and Matthew Beard's (who is wonderful here) are not. Because whenever Benedict cries in a film his eyes turn red and those of the other actors who use glycerine or whatever do not.
As you're mentioning it, yes, it's really amazing how Benedict can cry just beccause he wants to. Makes these scenes even more convincing.

Oh yes, it's the process that makes it so believable. I mean, a lot of actors can do this, but with Benedict it seems to come so natural... you can literally see how he begins to tear up, how his eyes turn red... Khan also is a perfect example for that. It's as if he weren't acting at all, it's genuine crying.

**Posted by Vhanja** January 26, 2015 9:56 am

What's the Carlisle scene again?

**Posted by SolarSystem** January 26, 2015 10:01 am

After they cracked Enigma and realise that an attack on a convoy with civilians on board is imminent.

**Posted by Vhanja** January 26, 2015 10:05 am

Oh, yes. That was a very strong scene.

I need to rewatch this movie soon.

**Posted by gently69** January 26, 2015 10:07 am

SolarSystem wrote:
It's as if he weren't acting at all, it's genuine crying.

I think he is really able to "feel" the situations.

**Posted by SusiGo** January 26, 2015 10:09 am

And if you hear what he said about filming the last scene with Keira. Oh, my.

**Posted by gently69** January 26, 2015 10:13 am

Unbelievable, isn't it?

**Posted by Vhanja** January 26, 2015 10:16 am

SusiGo wrote:
And if you hear what he said about filming the last scene with Keira. Oh, my.

I know, this makes that last scene so hard for me to watch, harder than just the scene itself.

**Posted by SusiGo** January 26, 2015 10:23 am

Look at this:

http://gaybabysherlock.tumblr.com/post/109193279371/marlenichen-a-scandal-in-belgravia-the

**Posted by Vhanja** January 26, 2015 10:28 am

SusiGo wrote:
Look at this:

http://gaybabysherlock.tumblr.com/post/109193279371/marlenichen-a-scandal-in-belgravia-the

Yes, that was I was thinking when I saw TIG. It's an amazing connection, because they are literally talking about the same thing.

**Posted by gently69** January 26, 2015 10:34 am

Just spotted it on your tumblr, Susi. Really interesting.

**Posted by Davina** January 26, 2015 10:36 am

Do you really think Matthew wasn't genuinely crying? I would expect all good actors (and even not-so-good ones, under an excellent director) to be able to make themselves genuinely cry. Perhaps some people just cry differently. That said, an actor has to feel 'safe' on set (principally the director's job) to be able to do this sort of thing.