Legend

[kevinknapman]

An impressive double performance from Tom Hardy dominates a fairly conventional crime biopic.
The world may not have needed another film about The Krays but writer/director Brian Helgeland makes a persuasive enough case for further building up the dubious legacy of the second rate celebrity gangsters. Impressive period trappings and excellent work from cinematographer Dick Pope ensures it never looks anything less than glorious. What's missing perhaps is a sense of family and community, essential when dealing with The Krays I would have thought. Their immediate family, especially the mother, is oddly absent for much of the film (and completely absent in the case of older brother Charlie).
Instead the focus is on Reggie's wife Frances. Which would be okay if the character wasn't a little underwritten. Emily Browning is fine but never really gets across her fragility, despite other characters constantly remarking on it. Which makes her final fate a little unconvincing. Plus the decision to use a real life tragic figure to deliver a cheap plot twist seems a little unpalatable.

Of course this is all about Tom Hardy though and he doesn't disappoint. Two completely distinctive performances that are fascinating to watch. His Ronnie may be the showier one and Hardy does have a tendency to overplay the quirks and tics a little but it's still hard to take your eyes off him when he's on screen. Reggie proves to be the more compelling of the two however, despite, or perhaps because of, the fact he's the more 'normal' of the two. Either way he keeps the film watchable throughout.

Personally I think Peter Medak/Philip Ridley's take on the twins back in the 90s remains the better film. Its focus on all the women surrounding the brothers made it more interesting. The Kemp brothers may have been less impressive as actors but that film belonged to Billie Whitelaw.
This film belongs to Tom Hardy and is still essential viewing as a result.

Looking at the cast list on IMDB afterwards it looks like quite a bit may have been cut out. Characters with names that suggest a trip to Lagos, a flashback to the Twins as kids and an appearance by David Bailey (played by Aneurin Barnard).

[The Sparrow]

Helgeland kept their relationship with their mother in the background because it had been addressed before. I did wonder why no mention of Charlie though.

[kevinknapman]

Helgeland kept their relationship with their mother in the background because it had been addressed before. I did wonder why no mention of Charlie though.

Yes that's what I'd assumed. I guess there was more family stuff originally but they ended up cutting it.

[The Sparrow]

Helgeland kept their relationship with their mother in the background because it had been addressed before. I did wonder why no mention of Charlie though.

Yes that's what I'd assumed. I guess there was more family stuff originally but they ended up cutting it.

I was at a q&a with Helgeland and whilst he didn't mention Charlie, that is the reason why he kept their mother very much in the background.

[nosila50]

A very full Westerhailes Edinburgh for this performance and it certainly didn't disappoint. Thought Tom Hardy was fantastic in both roles and made each brother totally individual.

I was totally engrossed from start to finish and although I knew a bit about the Kray twins it is still an eye opener to what went on. 10/10

[Cortone]

I was mesmerised by trying to work out how the CGI (or whatever it is) worked. Very impressive technology, but while the film wad engaging, for me, it did not totally deliver.

Definitely worth seeing though.

[sandypiper]

Tom Hardy was on Alan Carr's Chatty Man last night, and he said he had a Double, and they practised some of the scenes together, so not all CGI.

[kodreone]

It is all about Tom Hardy's performance. He delivers two completely independent characters and makes you believe them both 100%. I found the acting mesmerizing and drives your attention away from the weakness of the movie.

Unfortunately the rest of the movie is just average. A lot is left out and at the end I just wanted some more story to back up the amazing performance(s).

Looking for a factual biopic, I think it does not give what is needed, we don't get an overall life story, as said before, the family is not present enough and the sense of community is missing. Looking for a good story, I think it lacks of wow factor.

A bit disappointed, might be I was buzzing for this for a looong time.

6/10

[ejwrank]

Well I was disappointed too. I thought Tom Hardy was great in both roles but the film overall seemed disjointed. I thought the sound quality was poor -- maybe just too much music playing in the background but I found some of the dialogue very hard to hear. Or maybe I am just getting too old!!

[kodreone]

I feel you on the sound issues as well ejwrank.
Having said that, I think the soundtrack might be quite enjoyable on it's own.