Locke, 2013.
Directed by Steven Knight.
Starring Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Ben Daniels.
SYNOPSIS:
A construction manager responds to a phone call which results in his personal and professional life unravelling.
Driving away from a construction site Ivan Locke makes a series of phones which reveal that he is driving to a hospital where a woman whom he had a one night stand with is having his baby; haunted by the irresponsible actions of his father, he is determined to be held accountable for his action.
Despite his honourable intentions, the timing of the birth could not come at the worst possible time as Ivan Locke is set to orchestrate the building of the concrete foundation for one of the biggest construction projects in Europe. Then there is a matter of Locke having to confess to his devoted wife of his infidelity as well as him being notified that birthing complications have arisen.
Locke is a contained drama that happens within the car with Tom Hardy (Inception) being the only actor on-screen while the supporting cast literally phone in their performances. The entire movie hinges on the ability of the solo performer to convey his range of emotions through his dialogue, facial expressions and body language with the camera rarely leaving him alone. Hardy does an admirable job with him cleverly confronting the rear-view mirror resulting in a series of Shakespearean monologues.
Steven Knight, who has written thrillers like Dirty Pretty Things (2002) and Eastern Promises (2007), certainly knows how to build tension as the obstacles pile on top of each other during the drive that unfolds for 84 minutes. However, one cannot help but feel that the situation is more formulaic rather than natural as everyone conversing with the title character seems to be freaking out.
Credit has to be given to the editing of Justine Wright (The Iron Lady) and cinematography of Haris Zambarloukos (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit). Glass reflections and the night time lighting sources are used to great visual effect while the shots are assembled in a documentary fashion. Also, the musical score created by Dickon Hinchliffe (Out of the Furnace) establishes a nice undertow of emotion throughout the movie.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★
Locke arrives on Blu-ray on August 12, 2014.
Originally published August 3, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
