Review of Locke (2014) by Fernando C — 02 May 2016

I'm not nearly as high on this film as critics were but still, this is a captivating piece. Perhaps the most British-y of all films British, Locke is the embodiment of the English spirit. Dreadfully pragmatic, painfully practical, always the realist, methodical to a tee, bland to the point of annoyance and logical to the end, Hardy is probably the truest spirit of the British man ever put into cinema.

The film follows this track, basking in a simple set that is actually just Tom Hardy in a car, talking to people for 84 minutes. The results are decidedly impressive however, although Hardy stumbles a bit at the start with just what type of gruff accent he wants to pick (clearly the film was made low budget on relatively few takes).

He settles in fast however and is absolutely enrapturing. The performance settles around a meeting of the mundane, the family and the chaos of life, which intersect during Hardy's drive. I see Locke as a dissection of life's paths, a take on the unexpectedness of chaos but also an examination of how we choose to deal with life's insanity.

Lurking under everything is also an examination of legacy, dedication and fatherhood, as Hardy struggles to be better than his father. It's a performance wrought with emotion, as Hardy showcases his impressive ability to emote with a truly minimalist voice talent.

The results are good even if the film is painfully abstract. It isn't long, so the movie doesn't nag at you, nor does it feel too art house-y, which is helpful. Overall it's just another piece in the resume of one of the greatest young actors in Hollywood.