Enigma
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Movie Reviews of Enigma
Movie Review: Enjoyable but bogged down...
Summary: 4 Stars
I was fascinated to learn about "Enigma" and the role that the codebreakers played during WWII. My only qualm with the movie is that it didn't focus more on the actual codebreaking and less on the thriller aspect. Overall, I thought the movie was well-acted and the scenery seemed very authentic.Movie Review: Enigma
Summary: 4 Stars
Based on a true story, apparently, the plot is a bit twisted, but the acting is great. An exciting WWII yarn that could have been shorter, but then that's true of many films. It's a film I want to see again, in any case, partly to help figure out all the plot elements that weren't clear.Movie Review: very good
Summary: 4 Stars
I would've liked it more if they included more about the codebreaking and less about the romance. Obviously Katie was either pregnant or overweight by 30 lbs and looked nothing like the cover art.Movie Review: Another side of the war
Summary: 3 Stars
During World War II, England's code breaking operations were headquartered at Bletchley Park. Here a crack team of experts worked to intercept and decode enemy messages. Enigma, is a rather cloudy tale of intrigue, involving members of this elite group. The story centers on Tom Jericho (Dougray Scott), a member of the code breaking team who has recently suffered a breakdown, and is now returning to his job at Bletchley. Prior to his breakdown, Jericho had a brief love affair with a coworker, Claire Romily (Saffron Burrows), who is now mysteriously missing. Jericho seeks the aid of Claire's friend, and roommate, Hester Wallace (Kate Winslet), and the two begin looking into what might have happened to Claire. Conducting the official investigation into her disappearance, and on the lookout for anyone suspicious, is security man Wigram (Jeremy Northam).Large Allied convoys are headed East across the Atlantic, through waters patrolled by German U-boats. The enemy has recently changed their code, and at the moment, the English have no way to decipher enemy communications. The one hope they have, is to somehow come up with a "crib", a key, which will enable them, at least short term, to decipher the German's messages.
The story basically centers on the activities of Hester and Tom, as they try to discover what Claire may have been involved with just before her disappearance. The mysterious Claire is seen only in flashbacks. Eventually a breakthrough is made, using the "enigma" machine, a captured Nazi device, used to code and decode messages. Jericho is able to come up with the much needed "crib". Events and emotion, serve to turn the mild mannered fellow into a hero type. The ending featuring Jericho as the mouse that roared, turning the tables on Wigram, may be a little too convenient, and the story finishes with a tease that wraps up the loose ends.
Dougray Scott's performance as Jericho is a rather brooding one, and makes it hard to root for him. A rather frumpy looking, and bespectacled Kate Winslet, provides what little warmth and brightness there is. Presented primarily in flashback mode, Saffron Burrows as the "enigmatic" Claire, has only limited opportunities for character development. Jeremy Northam as the smug, self-satisfied Wigram, is a prissy fellow who doesn't quite have all the right answers.
In summary, we have an interesting British period piece, that attempts to blend suspense and romance, and does neither particularly well. The resulting composition while somewhat entertaining, is not completely satisfying. And if it matters, the film is apparently not historically accurate regarding some real people that the fictional characters are drawn from. John Barry's soundtrack contributes to the sleepy atmosphere, the music at times sounding like it has been recycled from one of his slower Bond efforts like Moonraker. This film may be best suited to those interested in low key wartime dramas, or fans of Kate Winslet.
Movie Review: WWII Thriller with an aura of intellectualism.
Summary: 3 Stars
WWII rages and the only thing saving England from defeat is the goods being sent across the Atlantic from America. The only way to make sure that the supplies on the convoys arrive is to know where the infamous U-boat fleet is. The only way to know where the U-boat fleet is depends on reading their enciphered radio messages using the code-breakers hidden away at Belittle Park.When the German's suddenly change their code the English are in the dark as to what they can do to restore the flow of information. Coincident to this occurrence is the disappearance of Claire a file clerk handling the secret traffic and the return to duty of Claire's ex-boyfriend Tom.
Tom was away for a month because he lost his mind after he was dumped and the brass worry about his ability to do the job anymore. The intelligence service men worry about his ability to remain loyal to his country and wonder if his might be involved with the disappearance of the clerk.
Into all this throw Hester. Smart, sensible, and (with her glasses off) not half bad looking. As Claire's roommate she knows more than she is telling and teams up with Tom to unravel the mystery. Lucky for us the intelligence service is no match for this pair of crossword puzzle solving sleuths. !
I liked this movie and rated it about average. There was only a little coverage given to the secret enigma machine and for the most part that code-breaking process had already occurred before the movie. Despite taking place in the heart of the code center it is really an action thriller more than an intellectual drama.
The DVD did not have a good selection of special features.