I don't think in my entire life I have ever been excited by the production company logos at the beginning of films until very recently. I still don't care most of the time, but on more than one occasion I have sat down to watch a film and have been instantly more hyped as soon as the 'A24' logo comes up. Every film I have seen of theirs has been at least good, with more than a couple being films I would profess to love. Sitting down to watch 'Locke' (2013) was one of these surprise 'A24' moments and my expectations suddenly shot a little higher. Did the film manage to meet them? The film follows Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy), a married construction manager who is both dedicated and successful. However, on the eve of the biggest moment of his career, he receives a phone call that completely alters his life. Driving to London to face the problem he must face his mistakes and the changes to his life they will undoubtedly bring.
That synopsis may seem quite thin which is more down to how the film is structured rather than the narrative itself. There is quite a lot going on in the film, but the whole film plays out in the car that Locke is driving. Conversations are held over the phone, but the only character we see in the flesh is Locke. So yeah, the film is gimmicked and you get the feeling that the idea of the whole thing taking place in a car was the first idea before any plot details were brought in. The gimmick of the film also means that there are a lot of technical and visual restrictions on the film. But, on the whole, I think the filmmakers pull it off really well. Visually I think it is pretty remarkable due to its restrictions. It manages to remain visually interesting throughout with smart editing being used well. It is mostly in how the film uses lighting that makes it a visual treat. As the film is set at night the use of street and headlights is key in the way the film looks, and it is done well. It feels real and is visually interesting all at the same time. The film also has a great soundtrack which adds to the mood of the film. It underpins the film very well, using the sounds of cars and the motorway to add an extra dimension. What surprised me the most was just how gripping the film is despite its one location gimmick. All the film is conversations between Locke and a select handful of characters and yet I was completely engaged and bought into what was going. Of course, a lot of this has to be attributed to the writers who did a great job writing a script that was engaging while also feeling real. But you always need a good cast to bring the script to life and it is in the performances where the film shines.
I have already mentioned that Tom Hardy is the only actor we see in the flesh in this film, but that doesn't mean that he is the only actor putting in a great performance. The film has a great supporting cast lending their voices to the phone calls we hear, but the stand out performers are Andrew Scott as Donal and Olivia Colman as Bethan. I can't go into either of their characters too much without spoiling the film somewhat but they are both brilliant. Scott plays a man who works with Ivan Locke and is trying his best to help him through his situation, managing to get across confusion, anger, empathy, apathy, and a genuine connection with Locke all in his voice. Colman is equally superb. Her character is one I really can't go into much without spoiling a lot of the film, but I will say that she has to portray the whole range of emotion and she does it brilliantly. Then of course we have Tom Hardy as Ivan Locke. I will start this off by mentioning his accent. He is meant to be Welsh and I can't say I am an expert on the Welsh accent so it may be brilliant, but it seemed a bit off to my ear, slipping occasionally into a more eastern European. Again I am not an expert so he might be nailing it, after all, he does nail the rest of the performance. He is acting across from no one but it doesn't seem to hinder him at all. He captures every emotion brilliantly and has you completely hooked into the plight of the character from the first minute. It is a superb performance and the film is no way near as good without him in the role.
'Locke' is a film that I had heard great things about before watching, and the 'A24' association only made my expectations all that higher and they were met for the most part. Despite the gimmick of the film it manages to remain both visually engaging and gripping on a narrative. Because of how the film is structured it is heavily relying on its actors to pull through and top to bottom every does brilliantly, especially Hardy who manages to be completely engaging from the minute go. I would recommend the film, and if it is the first 'A24' film you are watching start making your way through their catalogue, you will not be disappointed.