Dwelling collectively in London, Ejiofor’s Paxton has simply been furloughed from his van-driving gig, whereas his companion Linda (Hathaway) is pressured to put off a few of her firm’s staff. That solely provides to the shared sense of malaise and discomfort, since Linda — first seen screaming right into a pillow — had been “planning to finish our factor” earlier than the lockdown saved them no less than bodily collectively.
The stress within the relationship comes spewing out in loads of rapid-fire dialogue, virtually like an Aaron Sorkin film, solely there’s not a lot room to stroll whereas speaking.
“I am not regular these days, I do know that,” Paxton admits, earlier than going out into the road to learn poetry, loudly, as a method of “entertaining our fellow inmates.”
Like most shot-under-quarantine productions, it is intriguing for about 30 minutes or so, thanks partly to the charismatic leads. For the following half-hour, most viewers — like their predicament — will in all probability have seen sufficient and simply need to get out.
The second half, although, takes a marked flip, as a chance presents itself for the 2 to collaborate on absconding with a priceless (OK, extraordinarily worthwhile) piece of merchandise. The situation creates uncertainty about whether or not they’ll really undergo with the scheme, if they’re going to get away with it, and whether or not sharing such an endeavor can restore the harm accomplished between them.
Alongside the way in which, the pair chat with numerous associates and colleagues performed by the likes of Ben Stiller, Ben Kingsley and Dule Hill, however that is largely a two-handed card sport.
As soon as once more, it is doable to admire the ingenuity — and on this case, the central performances — with out discovering the outcome notably satisfying. Seeing glamorous folks participating in mundane, getting-under-each-other’s-skin bickering does not essentially make that a complete lot extra enjoyable.
“Locked Down” premieres Jan. 14 on HBO Max.
