Locke: 10 Reasons It's The Most Awesome Boring Film You'll Ever See

8. The Setting Makes Everything Better

There's an acute sense of claustrophobia brought on by being so closed in with Locke, and the cameras never, ever let up €“ this film is very intensely focused on the Welshman with the smooth baritone voice, and breaks him down in a long, unflinching character study. Naturally, the entirety of the movie is shaped toward this goal, from the script, the characters (or lack thereof) and most importantly, the setting. We never leave Locke's car on his uncharacteristic dash down south, and the film actually ends before the protagonist can step out of the vehicle. As such, we're able to keenly focus on just what makes this man tick, and are privy to his innermost thoughts. Locke himself isn't too emotional a man €“ he's the archetypal good husband, paying the bills, getting stuff done and still making time for the family. He's extremely rational, doesn't melt down at the drop of a hat, and is made uncomfortable by those who do. A regular setting wouldn't serve this man well €“ he's far too stoic for that. So by leaving us only ever a few feet from Locke, a man who would otherwise be pretty impenetrable is suddenly a whole lot more open €“ every wobbled lip, slight frown and eye-roll might as well be a groundswell of emotion, and it's only through being hothoused in his Beamer that we get to see this. It's a masterclass in subtlety, and gives Hardy an excellent platform to show off some classy restrained acting.