Locke | Movie Review

Locke - 2013

Directed By : Steven Knight

I like to think that Locke is perhaps about stoicism. Its a lesson about stoicism. Perhaps about how to handle situations which are out of control. And in the end stoicism prevails. Perhaps its not hardcore or perfect form of stoicism which is described in the books. Ivan Locke has his faults. He shouldn't have been in that position in the first place. It isn't his dead father's fault that he has impregnated a women who is not his wife. Or he should have been more sensitive to the woman who carries his child. He is sensible man though, his soul is being tortured, his mind is not at rest and his whole world is falling apart in front of him. Yet he bears it all. He is determined to his thing, right thing. And probably thats the basic idea of stoicism, isn't it?

Sometimes it is confusing to define stoicism. It has its shades, its variants. Ivan Locke has his variants. He has a deep urge to save the ruins of his already destroyed personal life. His wife has threatened him to divorce. He had an important job the very next morning, and not any usual work. Many a millions are at stake. He hasn't screwed a single time in his whole career but this time is too much for his boss. He losses the job too. And whats more, the the women concerned says she has a feeling for him. She demands something more than what he is offering. Its a disastrous situation for Ivan.

What is most interesting of all is how the situation is so hilariously relatable. We are not all accused of infidelity, of course. It is relatable in a sense that we also find ourselves with these unsolvable situations caused perhaps by our own actions, and their is no way but to face the consequences or run away from them. Ivan Locke is determined to face them. He struggles a lot through it. His sanity is even starts to disintegrate, though he gathers himself in this hopeless situation.

The whole action takes place in a car, except for the starting few minutes of the film. This could have easily been a boring affair, and it indeed does have its dull moments, but still it is engaging throughout and leaves you with questions and wonder till the very end. We are given the special opportunity to peak into a man's life only through him talking with his wife, children family and co-workers. It is an interesting idea. And it is important that it should not affect the storytelling in a negative way but should enhance it. It could have been conveniently dismissed as a gimmick, yet it draws away itself from that superficial tag and provide an engaging and thought provoking experience. When the credits start to roll over at the end, we have lot of questions about our notion of good and bad, right and wrong, duty and responsibility, betrayal and forgiveness. It serves its purpose and the goal which perhaps people behind want to achieve though it, is attained. 

Tom Hardy with his manly beard and piercing voice and masculine personality and physique convinces us of his being rather a different person than what he seems at first. He seems fragile, delicate and sensitive. The range of emotions that he was able to show through this performance is admiring. It is a one man show. Though there are tiny moments that it seems to get little repetitive and monotonous seeing the same face for nearly an hour and a half, but Hardy's genuine act saves the day.

The pleasure is actually seeing Ivan handling terrible situations he is in. When we think that he has had enough, that he can no longer take it anymore, he still goes through it with persistence and endurance. I envied his endurance. And the lesson in stoicism is taken home.

It is quite simplistic film when you think about it. It is even a simpler story. But it is an impactful and effective story. There could have been lot of things gone wrong. If it would have been more bold and then called as silly and unconvincing and if little more obvious then lukewarm and boring. But it is just the right combination. Locke might seem forgettable film, especially so given its simplistic and minimalist nature, but it is relatable to varying degrees and a successful attempt in bold and subtle filmmaking.

Rating : ★★★½