Lance Egly

Lance Egly Group 1-Section 12.

Installment 2 of 3.

I have decided to write my final report over films of philosophy, or rather the films that have personally made me question my philosophies, as well as numerous other aspects of my life. 

The second film I've chosen to analyze is called The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightley. Cumberbatch portrays Alan Turing, a mathematician who was key in helping the Allies in winning World War II. I do not want to spoil the film for anyone, so I'm going to focus on a small aspect of the film. When Turing was younger he attended a boarding school in which he was unpopular as well as bullied severely. However, he does develop a friendship with a boy named Christopher Morcom. Christopher stands up for Turing and they use cryptography to communicate in secret. On the final day of the semester, Christopher has written a note that says that Turing is his dearest friend, and then leaves for home.

 Turing misses him greatly over the break and you come to find out he has romantic feelings for him. Turing writes, in cryptic messaging, I love you on a note to give to Christopher on return, but Christopher doesn't return to the boarding school. The headmaster calls Turing into his office a few days later to tell him that Christopher has died of bovine tuberculosis. Turing is heartbroken but claims he didn't know him well. I believe he claimed to not know him because he didn't want anyone to realize how much he cared for Christopher. I also believed this event was a major aspect in how Turing turned out as an adult. He was considered odd and unsettling, almost harsh at times. This part of the movie also made me question myself on how much I depend on others. How would I feel if a close friend were to suddenly/unexpectedly die? Perhaps even a love interest. I would not handle it well, and I have a great support system that would help me through it, but Turing had no one. I became very empathetic towards this man and what he had to go through. Some questions that is philosophically based that this movie made me ask myself is 'How do we go through every day life with such harshness towards others?' 'How are we not more helpful to those we see in pain?' And finally, 'How can we personally help those dealing with something that we are unsure that we could deal with ourselves?'