Locke and The Grand Budapest Hotel

[Persej]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2692904/

I loved this movie! :)
Not only because it was interesting and I love Tom Hardy, but also because it was very different from standard movies that I watch. And it gives me hope that if Hollywood collapses, maybe Brits could continue making good movies. :)

I wondered with what kind of accent was he talking and it appears to be Welsh. :)

Here is a good review from IMDB:

A lesson of how unique and quite fantastic minimalist cinema can be

A surprise at the 57th London Film Festival. A film where the whole story takes places inside the confines of a car, and with Tom Hardy as the one-man star. But just how well does it work?

Tom Hardy, known best for majors roles in The Dark Knight Rises and Inception drops the theatricality and larger than life appearances and takes on the role of average man Ivan Locke, a building site manager, who over the past nine years has made his life as solid as the concrete he is in charge of pouring. Concrete is his religion. On the eve of the biggest job yet, also Europe's largest ever - we follow his car journey from Brighton to Croydon as the world around him slowly crumbles and he loses it all.

British Screenwriter and Director Steven Knight, brings us yet another gripping British drama, after previously making Hummingbird starring Jason Statham earlier this year. Clocking in at just under 90 minutes, Locke is refreshingly short and never over stays its welcome. The narrative is actually so constant that even when Hardy is not in hands- free phone switchboard mode, we capture another underlying story. Locke provides just as much a character journey as it does a car journey.

During the recent UK Premiere, producer Paul Webster recalls his initial talks with Steven Knight, in which he said; 'I want to do something quite different, in a confined space, about a guy whose life changes during the course of one car journey. And we never leave the car.' And that is literally what happens. Bringing an ideal mix of humour and emotion to the project, Hardy's taunt performance is mesmerizing. The put-on Welsh accent is pretty decent also. Filmed in just eight nights and with very low budget, the film is literally a lesson of how unique and quite fantastic minimalist cinema can be.

No car chases, no explosions. Just many conversations over the phone. Its funny that this movie is rated "R" in USA, but other much more violent movies (like Avengers) are rated "PG13".

Another interesting movie that I liked was The Grand Budapest hotel: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2278388/
Also very different from standard movies. It looks silly on the outside, but very serious in the inside.
And also another "R" movie although much less violent than many "PG13" superhero movies. I guess violence is not important for MPAA.

 

[Siberia]

Another interesting movie that I liked was The Grand Budapest hotel: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2278388/
Also very different from standard movies. It looks silly on the outside, but very serious in the inside.

I haven't heard about the first movie, thanks for the link.

But The Grand Budapest Hotel is very very cool, indeed. As you say, "it looks silly on the outside, but very serious on the inside." It so much reminded me of the craziness and absurdity of the current Ukrainian crisis. Thumbs up!

 

[Thor]

I saw Locke some weeks ago and was also really impressed by how much story can be told in such a tight format. It's quite a gem

 

[Persej]

It so much reminded me of the craziness and absurdity of the current Ukrainian crisis.

Yeah, normal people live their, more or less, normal lives, and then "Zig Zags" come along and turn everything upside down.

I saw Locke some weeks ago and was also really impressed by how much story can be told in such a tight format. It's quite a gem

Yeah, I think it's a gem too. :)

 

[edwardthefirst]

I really enjoyed Locke.

It took me a while to get over Tom Hardy's welsh accent.

If you liked the film and are looking for something similar then the Director Steven Knight has done some great films:

Eastern Promises - a gritty drama about the Russian Mob in London
Dirty Pretty Things - a drama about illegal immigrants in London. One of my favorite films, it has an amazing feel and pacing to it, very well produced.

 

[Rich]

Yeah, I think it's a gem too. :)

Me too, thought it was excellent. Couldn't help admiring the multitasking and decision-making ability of the Locke character.

 

[DonnieG]

I remember seeing the commercials for this Film, and couldn't wait for the chance to see it. I wasn't disappointed when I finally got to see it. To me it seemed to represent what went on in Hungary during both world wars and it's effects on the populace. Ralph Fiennes has always been a favorite actor of mind, and the rest of the cast are pretty much in that category as well. I thought it was a Beautiful Movie, the plot and dialog were excellent as well, not to mention the skill of all that acted in the film, even the bad guy played by Adrian Brody who talent is on par with a thespian in my opinion.

 

[davey72]

I hadnt heard of this movie but just watched it last night. I really enjoyed it. I think this is a great one to positively dissociate with.

 

[maxgash]

Thank goodness Wes Anderson made good with The Grand Budapest Hotel! ... I've blocked out the film he made before that... Honestly, I can't even remember the title, it reminded me of porn... some kind of porn... Like emo-porn or something. I thought the Hotel was quite an accomplishment!
And Locke is amazing! Just amazing! Every role Mr. Hardy carries convinces me he's the best young film actor working these days. I'd like to see more movies like Locke. Simple and powerful.