REVIEW: The Star-Studded Quarantine Comedy ‘Locked Down’ Hits HBO Max, But It May Have Come a Bit Too Soon
Locked Down starring the dynamic duo, Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor is here, with viewers tuning in literally during a global pandemic lockdown. (Warning: Spoilers)
We’re not sure if the world was quite ready for the surreal new comedy from Warner Brothers Pictures, even with the insanely talented cast, as viewers are still in the height of the current COVID-19 pandemic and facing many of the struggles that the storyline features. While the film echoes the diamond chasing plots of Ocean’s series films and After the Sunset where we see Pierce Bronsan and Salma Hayek romantically duel over Bronson’s diamond theft addiction with the tropical backdrops of the beautiful West Indies, this film rather, takes place in lockdown isolation. Ugh. Most fans tuning in are looking for an escape from their four walls and endless dog walks, only to see some of the glaring hardships of lockdown glaring right back at them. But if you’re a brave one, stream on.
Hathaway and Ejiofor are brilliant as usual and it is a joy to see them on screen together. Both are captivating and talented actors absolutely nailing every emotion of what many are currently living through such as wine time, pajamas, and snarky clap backs. The film follows Linda and Paxton stuck in quarantine together in mandatory lockdown after deciding to separate. Tensions between the two are definitely high, which creates an obvious challenge on top of everything occurring in the world. An unlikely situation does lead them to work together, which is where the film picks up a little more. You also find yourself asking, “I wonder how they filmed that,” or “She’s not six feet; but I’m sure they had a COVID-19 test,” and “Of course they all had a Covid test,” to “Her mask isn’t over her nose.” All of these thoughts possibly might race through your head and no fault to the studio, it’s just become the new normal.
We see the pandemic taking its toll on both characters and breakdown moments, which is definitely a truth when it comes to the pandemic. The acting is not the issue for this movie, the issue is the timing. Doing a comedy heist movie would have been fine, but when you add the current pandemic in, it becomes difficult to digest since we are living through it in real time. But again, how do you make a movie during isolation without mirroring the isolation. It was a brave attempt.
Some of the glaring touchy scenes include Linda firing employees on screen when unemployment is such a huge issue right now, it’s honest, but may be hard for some to watch. The story details are indeed authentic, from the toilet paper shortage to the video conferencing and many other nuances, to the exhaustion many are feeling from the pandemic that they consistently attempt to keep lighthearted with comedy. Again, maybe a bit too soon. It’s hard to make light of the scene where Linda is beating pots and pans in the street for the essential medical workers.
When their upcoming jobs align, Linda and Paxton have the opportunity to steal a diamond worth three million dollars. We see Linda and Paxton debating their life choices in a panic and not officially deciding if they will pull off the quiet switcheroo burglary until they are actually in the moment. There isn’t much threat to their plan until they are at risk of getting caught. Thanks to Linda’s quick thinking and the vulnerable idiosyncrasies of her former coworker, they get out of the situation almost seamlessly and successfully pull off the heist.
Many projects are currently making a storyline about the pandemic, but making an entire film about it may not have garnered the same response if launched on a post-COVID-19 date, or at least when more of the world had access to vaccinations. If you have a thicker skin and have not had any major stressors or life changes from the pandemic, you may be able to separate yourself on lockdown while watching Locked Down and enjoy the talented, inclusive cast of actors and indeed get lost in this London based heist. Overall it seemed to be good intentions with the plot, but unfortunately, it’s a bit premature for all audiences. Locked Down is now streaming on HBO Max.
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