LOCKE

By Darin Skaggs

     Locke is one of the most gimmicky films made in recent memory.  It stars Tom Hardy as Ivan Locke.  In the first scene we see him leave his construction job, enter his car and drive away.  From there it is only Locke in a car driving on the highway having several phone conversations with co-workers, his wife and a mysterious woman.  He calls to say he won’t make it to work nor won’t be at home that night.  We slowly find out where he is heading to, the mysterious woman is delivering his baby from one night of passion.  The whole film is him driving to this woman while dealing with the repercussions of leaving all his responsibilities of his job and home.

     This idea has a lot of potential and Hardy is giving a wonderful performance but the film does not all come together.  The film falls flat due to the odd choice of why Locke is doing what he is doing.  You spend about the first third of the film wondering what this man is up to.  When it is revealed though it does not seem to fit in the story, you are left with an awkward taste in your mouth.  And maybe that is the point of the film but by the end you are wondering why he does all this, lose his job and get into a big fight with his wife, just to help this woman.  Just talk it out, it will turn out better.  You’re left wondering what the point of the film is.  Is it about owning up to your mistakes?  Is it about how phones are making messing up easier to deal with?  Well, whatever the film is trying to say it does not come through in a clear way.

     What does make this film watchable though is all the other aspects to it.  The film looks beautiful, several great shots of Locke driving at night.  When the camera is on him there are good shots of headlights coming toward him, and then passing right at the last minute.  Other times it almost makes you feel you’re on a peaceful car ride even though what is happening in the car is very stressful.  Tom Hardy also does an amazing job throughout the film.  He carries it so well acting so cool, calm and collected but we know inside he is full of stress and sadness. 

     Locke had a lot going for it; the premise, the acting and the look of it.  Sadly, the film just falls flat and becomes just awkward to watch after you fully process what this man is doing.  What the film is trying to say is unclear.  Locke is well made but not worth your time.