Saturday, February 28, 2015

Movie Review: "Locke"

Locke
Directed by: Steven Knight
Starring: Tom Hardy
Rated: R for language throughout

No film last year depended more on a performance than the independent British film Locke.  The film literally is one man driving, making phone calls throughout the film's 82 minutes.  Yet, thanks to the captivating performance by Tom Hardy, you are riveted to your seat the entire time.  The film follows Ivan Locke, a hard working family man whose life somewhat spirals out of control during one fateful night.  What makes Locke so compelling as opposed to other one-man films (like the Ryan Reynolds movie Buried) is that it's not based on a gimmick; Locke honestly feels like it's a better film by not showing the world around Ivan.  We're stuck with him, just as he is stuck with himself and his situation.  However, the more we learn of Locke, the more we are mesmerized by him.  He is definitely a fallen character, but he also has the integrity and determination to own up to them.  Similar to John Proctor in The Crucible, Ivan is determined to regain his integrity, even if it causes more harm to him then good.  "I will do what needs to be done," he says, "even if they hate me or love me.  You have to be solid; it makes no difference what they think."

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