Synopsis – Ivan Locke, a dedicated family man and successful construction manager, receives a phone call on the eve of the biggest challenge of his career that sets in motion a series of events that threaten his careful cultivated existence.

My Take – This film is a low budget drama from writer and director Steven Knight with Hardy the sole screen presence. As he takes to the road he is seemingly a man in control of his destiny, determined to do the right thing only for everything to slowly unravel.

Through conversations on the phone he tries to negotiate an emerging crisis at work and an evolving domestic situation. With a premise of just one actor in a confined location it is testament to Hardy’s acting nous that he can pull off such a taught, powerful performance solely based on reactions to the increasingly dramatic phone calls. For those that wonder if Bane from The Dark Knight Rises has the acting chops to hold our attention, a reminder of Tom Hardy’s fine work should alleviate concerns: Warrior, Inception, Lawless, Bronson, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He can act and he can make a character his own, just as he does with Ivan Locke.

The fact that a fairly simple film with a single actor, a single confined location and a long string of problems can produce such a spellbinding experience is nothing short of extraordinary, which certainly makes Locke worthy of the highest praise Trust me the film is worth seeing for Tom Hardy’s performance alone. I highly recommend this film!!

Director – Steven Knight

Starring – Tom Hardy

Rating – R

Run time – 85 minutes