Movies: Locke

The 2014 Tom Hardy film by Steven Knight

The Locke director creates a story with a man’s facial expressions at the center. It’s an experiment which largely succeeds on its terms. This is chiefly due to writing by the same artist, Steven Knight. As the title suggests, Knight builds his movie around a single character. The character of the character is the 2014 film’s focus.

What type of man is Ivan Locke? Why does he drive all night? Is he rationalistic or is there no rational alternative for this man other than risking marriage, career and meaningful relationships to drive himself to his destination? Audiences are invited to judge. But Locke is involving enough to motivate watching in under 90 minutes.

In the lead role, Tom Hardy is very good, as always. He’s convincing as a man who is obsessed with not becoming like his father—with being a man—with being a good man—with having standards and being …