LOCKE (2014)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 1:26
Cast: Tom Hardy
Director: Steven Knight

LOCKE is almost the direct opposite of today's cinematic experience where the goal is to numb the viewers' mind with non-stop action and loud explosions. LOCKE is such a pure example of cinematic storytelling stripped down to its minimalist form where the focus is on the character revelation. The story is simple to follow as it unfolds in almost real time; a successful construction manager (Tom Hardy) gets into his BMW, drives alone for about 90 minutes from Birmingham to London and connects to the outside world through his mobile phone. In short, it's a one-man show. No, it's not an arty abstract movie but an entirely absorbing movie experience despite its limited setting. Less is more perhaps. For those who wants to be entertained by lobotomized cinematic carnage will be fidgeting in their seats 10 minutes into the movie but if you patiently seat through it, LOCKE will haunt you long after you leave the cinema. The events that unfold in the car ride represents a turning point in the life of our protagonist. The man who reaches his destination at the end of the movie is not the same man who departs from the construction site in the movie's opening scene. Hardy's performance here is low-key and intensely engaging. His voice, subtle actions and facial expressions show the impact that each phone call has upon him. Credits should also go to the voice performers (those on the phone) as it reminded me of those drama on radio of the yesteryear (also known as theatre of the mind) where we needed to exercise our imagination. If I could sum up the movie in a quote, this would be it:

"You can't change everything in one night, but one night can change everything."

Rating: 8/10