[AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B00KH57UVA”]It’s probably safe to say, a movie that takes place in one location isn’t going to appeal to everyone. In order to grab anyone, the dialogue, the character and the smallest of nuances are put in the spotlight. These types of films don’t typically allow for gimmicks, or second banana to come in and provide comic relief. It takes a commanding lead, working with a well written script to pull it off, and actor Tom Hardy and writer/director Steven Knight take up the challenge with Locke, the story of a man trying to hold on to the order in his life.

Londoner Ivan Locke (Hardy) is driving to a hospital a few hours away, where a woman named Bethan (voiced by Olivia Colman) is about to give birth to a baby he fathered, after a one-night stand seven months earlier. He hadn’t planned to be making this trip now, so the sudden change in plans means he must call his wife (Ruth Wilson) and two sons to let them know he won’t be able to make it home for the important football game on television, after all.

Along with this personal crisis, Locke has major happenings at work. A critical concrete pour, “the largest in European history,” set to take place in the morning, has hit a bureaucratic snag, and his bosses will hold Locke responsible if things don’t go as expected. So in the midst of all these calls to his wife, his sons, an increasingly hysterical Bethan, and her doctor, Locke must locate and reassure the city officials and co-workers that can save the pour and his job.

Though Locke is clearly a man who usually maintains a calm demeanor, he begins to crack under the increasing pressure. He has a one-sided argument with his long-dead father about Fate—can we improve the future regardless of what we’ve done in the past, or is are life set in stone once we make certain choices. An optimist, Locke believes you can make a right out of a wrong, His father had an entirely different outlook on things, and the father/son relationship (or lack thereof), seemingly did a lot to make Locke the man he is today.

Given his performances as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, and as the psychopath in Bronson, Tom Hardy has proven himself a master at disappearing into characters. So rarely do have we seen Hardy as an average man, it’s easy to forget he’s a very talented actor. With Locke, Hardy truly gets a chance to shine. A one man show in the true sense of the word, Locke is in a car for what really amounts to the entire story; his only interactions are with the voices on his phone. As a result, Hardy is unable to really use his physicality; he must use his face, hands, and voice to express his fragile emotional state. In a nice touch, Locke has a cold, forcing him to occasionally blow his nose, and guzzle Nyquil.

Despite the obvious limitations of a car as a single location, Hardy’s frazzled, on the edge performance keeps us invested in Locke’s story. I found myself feeling increasingly anxious as I wondered how or if, his problems would be resolved.

Presented in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio, Lionsgate has provided a very nice 1080p transfer for this title. Sharpness and contrast are excellent throughout, and no DNR is in evidence. Considering the film takes place in a car, the amount of depth is stunning. As one might expect, the color palette is somewhat limited here, but the gleaming lights of the highway and passing vehicles show very nicely. Flesh tones looked normal; Ivan looks flushed when appropriate. There are no anomalies to speak of.

The English DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack is spectacular. It feels as though you are riding along with Ivan in the car. Things sound realistic without seeming overcooked. There’s a bit of LFE thrown into the mix that gives the proceedings a flourish and the surround activity gives you that “fly on the wall” feeling. Dialogue is clear and concise throughout.

English, Spanish, and English SDH subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Steven Knight: There are several long pauses throughout. Fortunately, Knight is quite informative when he does speak, discussing things that occurred behind-the-scenes, how particular scenes were shot and the difficulty of filming in a car. Knight is clearly a very knowledgeable guy and it would have been nice if Tom Hardy could have joined in.
  • “Ordinary Unraveling: Making Locke” (HD, 9:37) Includes short sound bites from Tom Hardy, writer/director Steven Knight and others involved in the production.
  • Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:48).
  • UV Digital Copy.