Locke

Locke is a captivating 2013 drama thriller film directed and written by Steven Knight. The movie features a host of talented actors, but there's no doubt that the star of the show is Tom Hardy, who portrays the movie’s solitary onscreen character, Ivan Locke. Intriguingly enough, while the plot revolves around just a single character, the plot is broadened by voice-only performances brought to life by co-stars like Olivia Colman and Ruth Wilson.

The plot is straightforward and simple, but filled with adrenaline-pumping tension. Ivan Locke is an earnest and diligent construction supervisor who takes great pride in his career. Known for his adherence to details and strict protocols in his profession, Locke's life is as meticulously planned and controlled as his job requires. One night, on the eve of the biggest challenge of his career—the concrete pour of a 55-floor skyscraper—Locke receives a phone call that sets into motion a series of events that will change his life forever.

Turning the concept of an action-packed movie on its head, Locke’s entire story unwinds in real-time over the course of a nerve-racking car journey from Birmingham to London. Throughout the drive, Locke attempts to manage the rapidly unravelling threads of his professional and personal life through a series of tense phone calls. As Locke's vehicle moves through the nocturnal highway, the camera moves too, capturing the cold neon-lit faces and the city lights blurring into the dark, reflecting Locke's emotional turbulences. What should have been an ordinary drive, turns into a nail-biting, emotional roller-coaster, revealing layers of Locke's personality and hidden aspects of his life.

Tom Hardy delivers a gripping performance as the man in the driving seat battling to keep his life from falling apart. He retains audience attention with style and ease, while reacting to the powerful unseen characters on his speakerphone. Even within the confinement of his car, Hardy delivers an impressive range of emotions making us sympathize with him one second and question his choices in the next.

Olivia Colman and Ruth Wilson, two of the voices on the end of Hardy’s phone, provide excellent support, bringing depth and reality to the faceless characters that are integral to Locke’s unfolding drama. The rest of the supporting voice cast, including Andrew Scott, Ben Daniels, and Tom Holland, further enhance the tension and emotional stakes via their phone calls.

The movie's genius lies in its minimalistic approach. Steven Knight skillfully constructs a compelling narrative that's confined within the boundaries of a car. This, combined with the buoyancy of the screenplay, full of insightful dialogues and revelation of the unseen characters, holds the audience's attention throughout the 85 minutes running time. This powerful drama skillfully takes the audience through a whirlwind of emotions, from tension and frustration to a sense of loss, all while confined within a moving vehicle.

Director of photography Haris Zambarloukos captures the hypnotic lights of the motorway and the hushed, eerie calm of the night, emphasizing the solitude and tension that Hardy’s character faces. The camera perspectives inside his car oscillate from him to the road to the rear-view mirror and back, creating an intimate portrayal of a man’s life spiralling out of control. This is complemented by Dickon Hinchliffe's intriguing score, which subtly underlines the emotional beats of the plot.

Locke is an exceptionally original film, utilising an enclosed space and real-time format to startling effect. It's a testament to Steven Knight’s writing and directing skills and Tom Hardy's remarkable acting prowess that the film feels both tense and engaging despite its confined setting.

In essence, Locke is an immersive cinematic experience. It's a one-man-show that manages to confront common human fears -- the fear of the past catching up, of disappointments, of failures. It's a story about a man thrown into extraordinary circumstances, striving to live by his principles and make the best of a dire situation. This film is a unique jewel of contemporary cinema, a must-see for anyone who appreciates thought-provoking storytelling, unconventional plotting, and masterful performances.