NZ Film Festival review: Locke


The description of this movie’s setting and plot was intriguing: just one man, in his car, making and receiving phone calls during a single trip at night.

Having now seen it, I don’t want to say too much, except this: the film delivered. The unfolding drama would have been enough in itself, an unguessable story well-told and well-paced.

The visuals, unexpectedly, had their own appeal to add; I don’t mean that it was stunning, but I admire the artistry that can work within such a narrow scope – one person, one confined setting – without letting it appear even slightly strained or absurd.

And lastly, I believe I enjoyed the opportunity to let my own imagination build up impressions of the other characters, who only ever appear as voices on the phone. I don’t think the voice-actors got a mention in the festival catalogue, which is rather a shame; whoever they were, they became as real and individual as the man in the car.

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