LOCKE: A Study in Efficient Filmmaking

Last night I had the pleasure of catching Steven Knight's newest, Locke, featuring Tom Hardy. The premise of the film is a man's journey as he drives and speaks to various characters via Bluetooth, with the titular character of Ivan Locke at the wheel.


Locke is an interesting study in film for its efficiency, fantastic acting, and excellent writing. It took five days to film it, with one setting (a BMW) and one character. I won't be reviewing plot details as the film's writing is so well done that it's worth seeing for Knight's skillful reveals.

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.

With one location/one actor films, the script and direction must be very strong. Prior films like this are Phone Booth (2002) and Buried (2007), both with strong male leads in dire situations. Locke, takes the whole one character film to a new level, the plot much more a modern life study on human error and the important things in life.

Knight has done something many filmmakers strive to do: create a character in a situation who are riveted by, even if the circumstances are mundane. The plot is slowly revealed, like peeling away layers of an onion. When Locke is introduced you don't know what to expect, is there a bomb in the car? Is he part of a large drug conspiracy?

Everything is revealed through conversations with other characters, and when the plot is fully "in your face", you are pleasantly surprised and captivated by the humanness of it all. Knight should be very proud of what he's accomplished as Locke is a wonderful character study, it touches on all aspects of right and wrong, family, love and responsibility. There is never a question of why Locke is doing what he's doing, the character is so well written that motivations and ethics are crystal clear.

Of course, to pull this off you need a powerhouse actor, none other than the transformative Tom Hardy. His genuine and fully realised character is mesmerizing on screen. Actors, watch this to see what great acting is. Hardy's face and voice take you into the tumultuous and intimate word of Locke, I found myself so drawn to this man confronting his mistake. It was all very real and personal. After all, acting is all about private moments made public.

Put together great direction, acting and writing and you have an intimate portrait of a man's life turning upside down. The sound and music are perfect, cinematography is great for what few shots were available.

Indie Filmmakers - this is a great study in ways to be an efficient filmmaker while telling a great story, no special effects, dozens of locations or big budgets needed. 

To Be An Artist - Rant

To be an artist is part of my deeper self, it is a calling that I have had since I was a child. I could not imagine a life not dedicated to creating. I know many others feel the same way. We have this deep hidden connection where we want to share our stories and feel affect and connected. It is the power of storytelling that drives us towards books, movies and music.

So it is painful when those you love and who love you do not understand this calling. It is a long and hard path to go for something abstract and not concrete, so all an artist can ask for is not success or fame or fortune. It is to ask for the SUPPORT of those who love them, to just have them say, "Ok, go for it, I believe in you. I believe in what you're doing." Because deep down, no matter what I do or will do, it is always painful when your closest friend or mother tells you to 'consider other options' or 'get a real job'.

Public Service Announcement: Have an artist in your life? Tell them you believe in them, let them know they have talent or purpose! Cultivate their creativity.