DVD Review: Locke

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This commute, man...

Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) is a construction manager and a seemingly decent family man with a wife and a son. Only tonight, he's driving two hours away because his mistress is having his baby. Not even a mistress, a one night stand. Ivan has to deal with his job, his angry wife, and his nervous girlfriend.

Movies like this a hard. It's literally just Tom Hardy in a car for 85 minutes talking to people on the phone. We recognize some of those voices, Andrew Scott, Ruth Wilson, but it's Hardy that's tasked with carrying the picture. Luckily he does. This role felt different. I'm used to Tom playing an abrasive asshole or someone that's kind of out there. This was about as grounded as I've ever seen him.

Obviously a film like this has limits. It can't really excel above anything because of the gimmick in place. Luckily we have someone like Hardy guiding us along. Director Steve Knight shoots it as well as he can. I appreciate the experiment. I can't say I had high expectations for this one, but it wasn't bad. At times it was very good, but it just happens to exist and can't be anything more.

Can you tell I'm struggling to write about this?

Recommended: No

Grade: C-

Memorable Quote: "How can I hate you, I don't know you." - Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy)

Comments

  1. RuthJune 22, 2016 at 12:49 PM

    Bummer you didn't like this. I actually recommend this to people as it kept me engrossed despite it being a one-man-show with barely any action. Hardy is an excellent actor who could pull off something like this, and the story was intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 22, 2016 at 11:13 PM

      I wanted to like it more, I just struggled with it. Just like I struggled with actually posting this review lol

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 22, 2016 at 7:46 PM

    I really liked this one. I was surprised that something so small could hold my attention as it did. Gotta be thanks to Hardy who was chill but magnetic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 22, 2016 at 11:13 PM

      Hardy was excellent like he always is. This would've been a disaster with a lesser actor.

      Delete
  3. BirgitJune 22, 2016 at 9:15 PM

    I'm not sure if I would like a film with just one actor...talking. I could be wrong and probably am

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 22, 2016 at 11:12 PM

      It's an interesting experiment, but not many could pull it off.

      Delete
  4. Zach MurphyJune 22, 2016 at 9:41 PM

    I thought Locke was pretty well-crafted for what it was, but until I saw your review pop up, I had forgotten that this film even existed.

    - Zach

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 22, 2016 at 11:12 PM

      I hate it when that happens. I actually read a review on someone's blog once, started typing a comment that I think I'd like to see it, then I remembered I had not only seen it, but gave it a positive review. Whoops. lmao

      Delete
  5. Candice FrederickJune 22, 2016 at 10:17 PM

    Awww I really liked this one

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownJune 23, 2016 at 8:51 AM

    It's a tough one to talk about for sure! I really enjoyed this, but I struggled to explain why, it's weird. I remember a few people walking out of the screen at the cinema though, it really divided the audience.
    - Allie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 24, 2016 at 9:05 AM

      I can see why. It's not the most watchable movie out there.

      Delete
  7. KhalidJune 23, 2016 at 1:24 PM

    Nice review. I really liked Hardy's performance but the movie itself failed to really impress me because well, there just wasn't anything there.

    ReplyDelete
  8. s.June 24, 2016 at 1:52 AM

    I loved it obviously as it's as you said it's literally Hardy in the car for 85 minutes :lol: But I'm glad you didn't hate it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 24, 2016 at 9:06 AM

      Lol he's easy on the eyes for 80 minutes. That helps.

      Delete
  9. ChrisJune 24, 2016 at 4:43 PM

    I would rate the movie slightly higher than you. I was on the edge of my seat and I thought the voice acting from the off-screen cast was very strong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 25, 2016 at 6:41 AM

      I liked the ones I recognized, and it's kind of fun to think about that Tom Holland is Spiderman.

      Delete
  10. KatyJune 26, 2016 at 2:03 PM

    Nice review! I love Locke 'cause, like you said Hardy talking for almost 85 minutes straight. That's not too shabby to listen to or watch. But, I haven't been compelled to watch it again since I saw it. You're right, it is just kinda there. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 28, 2016 at 7:40 AM

      I definitely couldn't watch this again. Once was enough.

      Delete
  11. msmariahJune 27, 2016 at 12:48 PM

    I've seen episodes of television like this that are character pieces, but a two hour movie would be hard to watch. I frankly get too easy bored. These days with an active toddler, a full time job, husband, and online grad classes-- I would probably fall asleep!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 28, 2016 at 7:40 AM

      Goodness you have a lot on your plate! lol. It's not a full 2 hours, thankfully. Only 80 minutes.

      Delete
  12. Matthew St.ClairJune 27, 2016 at 7:29 PM

    If anyone can have me invested in a movie about a guy driving around in a car, it's Tom Hardy. Can I ask you something, is there anything he can't do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 28, 2016 at 7:39 AM

      I don't think so. Has he done a rom com yet? I kind of don't want to find out, but I'm sure he could do that. lol

      Delete

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