Director: Steven Knight
Starring: Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Ben Daniels, Tom Holland, Bill Milner,
Running Time: 85 minutes
Certificate: 15
Extras: Making Of
There have probably been easier films to pitch than this 90 minute car journey in which Tom Hardy discusses concrete. Although hardly an exciting premise in terms of story, the idea of seeing the powerhouse that is Tom Hardy completely alone on screen for the duration of an entire film is quite an intriguing one. From Steven Knight, the director of HUMMINGBIRD, writer of such brilliant films as DIRTY PRETTY THINGS and EASTERN PROMISES, as well as being the creator of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, LOCKE is a stripped down exercise in minamalist cinema.
The film sees Hardy as the eponymous LOCKE, a man in charge of a big building project who decides to attend his one night stand of 7 months ago who is now having their child. During his journey he must make calls to his wife, son, and bosses, in order to come clean, explain his motives, and make sure the delivery of an awful lot of cement goes according to plan. The film itself, in trailers and recommendations, has been played up as a thriller, but this is certainly a drama if anything. The dark motorways and glare of streetlights may create a sense of dread, but the film is more of a powerful look at one man taking ownership over his mistakes.
As Locke attempts to balance his life and responsibilities the dialogue is thankfully wonderully written and a pleasure to analyse. As talk of buildings coming collapsing down also reflects Locke’s psychological stance, we are also treated to shocking sequences in which Locke addresses his absent father in a form of self exorcism. Hardy’s performance is shockingly calm to the point of almost being inhuman, and it’s this cold edge that makes the well placed outbursts even more striking. His nuances are beyond perfect, and make him a joy to watch, something that is obviously essential with so little going on on screen.
Certainly not a film for everyone, there have been comparisons to radio plays and audiobooks. This is understandable but hardly a bad thing. There was something quite therapeutic about the film unfolding in words, but having gentle visual flourishes to flesh it out. It may be one of the most divisive films of the year but it will be rewarding to those looking for great dialogue, a solid performance, and a thoughtful film about mistakes, decisions, and responsibility.
[usr=4]LOCKE is released on DVD and Blu-ray from 25th August.
