Tom Hardy is one of the most versatile and talented actors in film today. His resume is proof. From his first performance as Twombly in Black Hawk Down, to his most recent one as Bob in The Drop, he has delivered a dazzling array of characters on screen. Whether he is a protagonist or villain, a lead or supporting actor, expect to be entertained by the talent he brings to the movies he is in.

Before this film, he was the brutally-strong Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. These big and brawny characters that he seems to play with such ease could be the reason why he has become an actor of star caliber. Check out the films Bronson, Warrior, and Lawless for a great look at the physicality he can bring to a role. However, as mentioned before, there is a lot more to him as an actor than just being the tough guy. It was his performance as Eames in Inception that really started to raise the eyebrows of critics and fans for the English actor. He showed that he is capable of performing as a character with great substance and depth.

In Locke, Hardy pushes his acting boundaries to a whole new level. It is definitely one of the most elaborate and expressive characters that he has portrayed. It is easy to assume that an actor who is used to playing a physically-strong role in many films can’t deliver an emotional one. This is what makes Hardy‘s performance special – he is multifaceted; he delivers emotional roles with as much conviction as his brawny ones.

From the Academy Award nominated writer of Dirty Pretty Things, Steven Knight, Locke features Hardy as a one-man show. He is Ivan Locke, a caring family man and a successful construction manager. Little does he know that one night, a phone call will alter the rest of his life. In an interview with HuffPost Entertainment, Knight shared that Locke is a very logical person. He is a man that is driven by his desire to do the right things. Fasten your seat belts as we go for a drive into this movie’s success.

Locke: A Contemporary Theater Piece

In the interview with HuffPost Entertainment mentioned above, both Knight and Hardy describe the movie as a radio play. This should grab your attention immediately because we don’t see movies made like this every day. From an acting perspective, it really helps you connect with Locke because he is the center of attention. We see a man who is in control and doesn’t seem to crack under pressure. However, appearances can be deceiving.

In an interview with Wales Online, Hardy said that while Locke looks so calm and collected, there was a lot going on behind his eyes. Along with his calm demeanor on the outside, his voice was quite a theatrical performance as well. While you never learn where he is from, Hardy shared in the interview with Wales Online that the Welsh accent he spoke with was inspired by Richard Burton.

One of the biggest differences between film and theater is reality. You don’t have the ability to use CGI to show amazing visual effects. Everything happens in real time before your eyes. So you should be able to relate to the characters on stage. Knight‘s intention for Locke to be an ordinary man was for the audience to relate to his character, as he revealed in an interview with Rope of Silicon. How often do you see the drama of your life made into a movie? It is precisely what happens here.

As you watch this film, you may find traces of yourself in Locke’s character. A valuable lesson to be learned is that not everyone responds to situations in the same way. What makes the story so real and engaging is the way in which he responds to the situations he is faced with. Knight greatly summarizes his approach with the movie: “What I wanted to do was to do justice to the drama of ordinary life.”

The Life Of The Car

We live in an era where we see many remakes, reboots, and adaptations of classic films and novels. In his interview with Rope of Silicon, Knight said that he wanted to stay away from making this movie based on the influences of other films. It was a brilliant decision on his part because it feels original when you watch it, and it becomes difficult to compare it to others. There is an interesting character to lead the story, and he happens to drive a very nice car. The car is essential to understand the kind of person Locke is.

In his interview with Rope of Silicon, Knight shared that there is a level of honesty about a person when they are alone in their car. We spend a lot of time in our cars, and it is a space that allows you to be yourself. You may be judged by others from the outside looking in, but you decide what you want to do within those doors. It is quite a liberating feeling, and it makes the ride that much more fun.

When it comes to summer blockbusters and action films that involve car chases, we are used to watching cars with great speed. That is not the case here. The car used in this film has a lot more personality to it. It plays a big part in telling Locke’s story, and for Hardy, it is what allows him to make the journey from one point of his life to the next as he shared in an interview with Here & Now. Essentially, this car is what adds tremendous depth to Locke’s character.

From the beginning to the end, this car is his best friend and ally. It may seem like a very difficult task to be limited to performing within the confines of it, but at the same time, it allows you to convince the audience of what you can do as an actor. In an interview with Esquire, Hardy had this to say about his performance: “There are two types of acting: There’s convincing and not convincing. And so,if you are going to convince people, then put it in the real world.”

Unconventional Success

What makes this film so fun to watch is the fact that Hardy shows you what he is really capable of in terms of his ability to perform a as a character outside of the  tough guy label. Given the movie star status that he has now, there is always buzz surrounding films that he has signed on to be in. Since he has had so much success playing tough characters, you almost expect to see physical strength to be a part of him on screen.

What he does with this performance though, is unexpected and fresh. He proved that he is more than just a movie star, he is dedicated to his craft as an actor. The desire to go well beyond what the public expects of you in a performance is remarkable. It is probably safe to assume that without watching the trailers, people expected to see his strength on display in this movie. Thankfully, what you will see is far different from that.

From the directing perspective, it was great to see Knight dedicated to making a film in the most unconventional and original way. When you see movies like this, they should inspire you to want to see more like them. From the camera work to the screenplay, every element of Locke contributes to the fun viewing experience you will have when you see it. It really feels as though it was done to speak directly to the audience. From the ordinary nature of Locke’s character, to the fact that what happens here can happen to you, Locke is an extraordinary experience to watch. It may not be the best movie of the year, but it certainly belongs in the discussion of that.

Time to hear your thoughts on Locke. Please share your comments, and if you still haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for?

Is this the best performance that you have seen by Tom Hardy? If Hardy and Steven Knight were to work together again, what kind of film would you like to see them do?