Enigma
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Movie Reviews of Enigma
Movie Review: Gripping and suspenseful, though flawed
Summary: 4 Stars
Based on Robert Harris' bestselling novel, "Enigma" is a taut, suspenseful thriller adapted to the screen by Oscar-winner Tom Stoppard ("Shakespeare in Love"). Stoppard's script is both the source of "Enigma"'s great pleasures as well as its decided flaws. The story, about a British WWII codebreaker (Dougray Scott) searching for both his missing lover and a spy, provides the framework for thrills and romance while providing a minor history lesson (if not always accurate--perhaps it will spur the viewer to do more research--always the sign of good writing). There's also the added pleasure of Stoppard's rich, witty dialogue. On the other hand, Stoppard has tacked on to the film a completely ridiculous finale that's more Hollywood than anything else in the film and leaves a sour aftertaste (the flick resembles not so much Hitchcock as it does classic British thrillers like "The Man Who Never Was" [1956] or "Sink the Bismarck!" [1960]). Nevertheless, "Enigma" is still fantastic entertainment, benefitting from director Michael Apted's sure and steady hand, and the excellent contributions in the branches of cinematography, art direction, and sound recording. While Mr. Scott lacks charisma in the lead character, everyone around him shines, especially Kate Winslet (hiding her exquisite beauty behind a frumpy hairdo and thick glasses) and Jeremy Northam (utterly charming--and sexily dangerous--as a secret service agent). In the end, if you're looking for something more than the latest brainless Hollywood macho extravaganza, the smart, sophisticated "Enigma" will be sure to please.Movie Review: Time Is On My Side
Summary: 4 Stars
Mick Jagger owns an enigma machine and has had great interest in it for years. This explains why he produced this particular project. Michael Apted does a great job of directing, albeit different from "Coal Miner's Daughter," "Gorillas in the Mist," or the underrated "Enough" with Jennifer Lopez. Tom Jericho is played by Dougray Scott who was the agent gone bad in "Mission Impossible 2" and Drew Barrymore's heartthrob in "Ever After." Here, he carries a torch with a very long fuse for Claire Romilly, spending much of the movie in the sadness of heartbreak. His eventual connection to Hester Wallace doesn't explode with the same chemistry, but seems like a comfortable choice for the character. Saffron Burrows who was in "Circle of Friends," "Frida" and "In the Name of the Father" does a great job as a seductive temptress. Jeremy Northam who was in "The Net," "Gosford Park" and "Happy Texas" does a suave job as the detective whose motives we never quite trust. Kate Winslett is made plain, quite unlike her "Titanic" persona," but communicates the earnestness of an over-achiever. Apted keeps the pace interesting despite the intensity of the brainwork going on to decipher the enigma code. This is a good period piece, a strong journeyman film with flashes of brilliance. Enjoy!Movie Review: Flawed but very intelligent WWII thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Enjoyable, smart WWII thriller about code breaking, based on a true story, and notable for being a war film
more about human intelligence then daring action. The script by Tom Stoppard is strong.
While it's a very good film, some irritating flaws keep it from being great. With the exception of Kate Winslet, a
lot of the acting is over the top. Worse, the film wimps out on the true story, and misses some fascinating
complexity, since in real life the lead character was gay, at a time where that alone was enough to win everyone's
distrust and indeed he faced persecution in the post-war years rather than being hailed as a hero.
Further, the whole style of the film feels old-fashioned in a way that goes back and forth between charming and
feeling forced. Last, this is a really weak DVD transfer. Lots of soft spots, etc.
And yet, all that said I'd still urge people to see it, for daring to be a wartime thriller with smarts.
Movie Review: Beautiful, yet something missing...
Summary: 4 Stars
A young mathematical genius, Tom Jericho, is returning to the British code-breaking center during World War II after he has been sent away due to personal problems. They are now trying to crack the new code that the Nazis use when they communicate with their U-boats, since it seems like the Nazi's are now trying to attack convoys coming from the US with food, ammunition, and other equipment. The British Intelligence Service is very suspicious of how the Nazi;s knew that they had cracked the former code and they begin to scrutinize Tom's past. Enigma can be described as a cat and mouse game that has a soul, but lacks flesh.Movie Review: Lost Potential in Spy Drama...
Summary: 4 Stars
A young mathematical genius, Tom Jericho, is returning to the British code-breaking center during World War II after he has been sent away due to personal problems. They are now trying to crack the new code that the Nazis use when they communicate with their U-boats, since it seems like the Nazi's are now trying to attack convoys coming from the US with food, ammunition, and other equipment. The British Intelligence Service is very suspicious of how the Nazi;s knew that they had cracked the former code and they begin to scrutinize Tom's past. Enigma can be described as a cat and mouse game that has a soul, but lacks flesh.