“…a tour de force solo performance”
Via streaming video and the brilliance of Chromecast, I rented Locke.
I knew nothing about the film, but that Olivia Colman and Ruth Wilson were part of the cast. I had no idea that Tom Hardy would be giving what is a tour de force solo performance.
Centring on a night’s drive down the motorway, from Birmingham to Croydon, the entire film takes place in real time. And watching, we meet John Locke: a man who’s made a mistake in his past. A man torn apart by conflicting responsibilities. A man haunted by personal ghosts. His journey down the motorway mirrors his personal journey, in a film which is all about the journey, and not the destination.
Whilst Hardy is the sole person on screen this isn’t a monologue. This film is a compelling dialogue, unfolding as the supporting cast’s voice-calls come in on Locke’s mobile phone and as he tries valiantly to avert one crisis after another. It’s a fascinating insight into a man’s struggle to gain control of his life, as it races out of his control. Tom Hardy is phenomenal in his delivery, actions and reactions, with the mesmerising and gripping aspect of this film wholly due to his performance, and not events unfolding and revealed.
Though the film is visually strong, the very nature of the script means it should adapt beautifully to stage or radio drama. Locke is well, well, worth renting, whichever way you stream! A fantastic performance in a beautiful film.