For Locke's true power as a film to sink in you will need a few days to sit and ponder upon its small yet intricate construction, for in a film that is set almost entirely within the confines of one man's car, Locke deals with many an issue and does so by uncorking a powerhouse Tom Hardy performance and a downright believable script by Brit Steven Knight who here makes up for his dreary directing debut Hummingbird.

There will be many out there that have no time for Locke due to its setup and in a way this is not an unjust decision by them for Locke requires much of you as a viewer and does not look to find a way around this. Not perhaps since Ryan Reynolds found himself in a tight situation in Rodrigo Cortes 2010 film Buried has a film relied so heavily on the audience to bear with it and a performer to hold our attention with nothing more than a phone (or Bluetooth) to act alongside with. Locke's tightly focused pacing and realistic scripting are both hugely successful but it is in the performance of Hardy that the film finds its true power and ability to stick with you days after release.

Oft cast as the hulking or manic presence within a film as seen in any of Warrior, The Dark Knight Rises or Bronson, Hardy hear is a steely at times inwardly reserved Ivan Locke, a man whose world is crumbling around him despite being sheltered by his luxury ride. Playing Locke with a welsh accent and with a vulnerability within both his eye, Hardy showcases a rarely displayed side to his acting talents that Knight uncovers to great effect. Whether Locke is demanding or pleading, Hardy is in control even though his character is slowly but surely crumbling from within. It's one of the year's best acting turns, unflashy yet utterly commanding, Hardy achieves more with a singly look than some actors do within an entire role. It's worth also mentioning the voice work (the only other people you will hear during the entire movie, no one else is ever seen) of the cast here in Locke, from Olivia Colman through to The Impossible's Tom Holland as Locke's son Eddie, all voice performers give soul to the voices we hear on the phone.

A movie to be watched in the tightest surrounds available to you, Locke isn't an easy watch due to its setting and not a movie made for overall public consumption. Locke is however an incredibly smart and well-constructed film that is the perfect showcase for the increasing acting prowess of Tom Hardy, an actor that continues to stake a claim as one of if not the most interesting and diverse performers in the business today.

4 Bluetooth calls out of 5

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LOCKE is another one of those types of films that everybody raves about, then when you finally sit down to watch it, you realise it's a load of rubbish. And that's coming from somebody who's a fan of single location movies, and who finds the idea of a film featuring a guy inside his car for the entire duration to be something of a challenge.

Unfortunately, as a 'thriller', this film falls flat because the plot is so trivial. Tom Hardy essays the role of an ordinary businessman whose life begins to fall apart thanks to some personal problems. The main issue is that said problems are completely unbelievable, not to mention making him a completely unsympathetic character. Some of us are forced to deal with far more stressful things in our everyday lives, so I found the whole thing to be rather pointless; when I found out this was the extent of the plot, I couldn't help but think 'is that it?'.

Writer/director Steven Knight previously helmed the Jason Statham vehicle HUMMINGBIRD, which was much more interesting. Even further back, he used to write the screenplays for things like AMAZING GRACE and EASTERN PROMISES, so it's a shame to see him wasting his talent on material like this. I like Hardy and he does his best here, but I couldn't get past his accent, which weaves and tumbles like a drunken boxer in the ring. LOCKE is a waste of time unless you force yourself to enjoy arty movies that think they're a lot better than they are.

Foreman Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) races off his construction site on the eve of a historical concrete pour to attend his baby's birth. He had an one-time affair and had recently been contacted by the woman that she's having his child. He puts his family and career in danger. His family is expecting him home to watch a football game. His bosses are besides themselves and he's fired. He tries to help his assistant to take over the big job. It's an one-man movie as he drives in car and talk to various people on the phone.

These one-man movies are alway fascinating to see the acting ability or lack thereof from the actor involved. This has a few interesting things. I like the drunken assistant. Rarely has a concrete pour been done more excitingly. The most important facade of the movie is Tom Hardy's performance. I've always thought that he's a good actor. This just solidified it. He hits all the right notes with his reserved manners and the inner turmoil underneath. He shows that he is a worthwhile actor.