Locke (2013)

I don't recall adding this to my Netflix queue or even learning about it before. Google classifies it as "Thriller/Crime," but it's neither. I chose it last night partly for looking different from other recent viewings and partly for its 84-minute runtime.

Birmingham foreman Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) has had an affair with colleague Bethan Maguire (Olivia Colman). She got pregnant and decided not to abort. On the night before Ivan's supposed to supervise an epic construction project, Bethan goes into labor. Since she has no family or friends available, Ivan agrees to drive a couple hours to the London hospital, making car phone calls to trainee Donal (Andrew Scott), boss Gareth (Ben Daniels), and wife Katrina (Ruth Wilson). Nobody is happy with his decision except Bethan, and she's stressed enough that he's not already there.

No wonder the movie was relatively cheap to make: Visuals consist entirely of Ivan, the car, and the road. When not on the phone, he's talking aloud to the imagined ghost of his despised father (not depicted). It's almost all in real time. The story could easily have been a radio drama like Sorry, Wrong Number. I might even have preferred to read it.

Nonetheless, I kept my eyes on the screen. Sometimes, especially early on, it helps to see the caller's name on the car display -- and how Gareth's number is amusingly listed. Later, I could appreciate the facial cues that Ivan's stoic composure was cracking. But first, I was reading Ivan's lips to help decipher his Welsh accent. And wishing I could do the same with everyone else.

This could be the most anti-adultery message since Fatal Attraction. Ivan emphasizes that it was just a one-night stand, but that does nothing to appease Katrina or Gareth. His idea of taking responsibility is debatable at best. Most calls spell more bad news, not least for Donal, who's in over his head.

Mercifully, this is not a morality play. Not everything that could go wrong does. The car crash I expected never happens. There is room for hope.

Locke is indeed unusual if not unique, and the story sustained my interest. I just continue to question the format. Hardy's acting goes only so far.