'Legend' | Film Review

This week, Tom and I decided to take a much needed cinema trip after two weeks of settling into college/uni and devoting our lives to work.  We both fancied 'Legend', a film about the later lives of the Kray twins during their criminal reign over London. Here is why I thought it was the best film I've ever seen in ten years...

Before I begin, let me tell you a bit about the Kray twins in case you don't have the foggiest who they are...

Both born on the 24th of October, 1933, Ronald 'Ronnie' and Reginald 'Reggie' Kray are some of the most renowned criminals in British history. They began as simple East-End gangsters and worked their way up from protection rackets to numerous cases of violence and murder. Both Kray twins were described as the most dangerous men in Britain during the late 1950's, and throughout the 60's...

***

Where do I start with this film? I seriously don't know! 

First, let me describe it as one of the most gripping, intense and intriguing films I have ever seen in my whole life. I would gladly sit through it multiple times and will be one of the first to get my hands upon the DVD!

Overall review...

Personally, I do not think they could have picked anyone better than Tom Hardy to play both the twins. He created such an accurate portrayal to both the similarities and differences between the twins, as well as their criminal mind-sets. Creating the humour behind Ronnie's schizophrenic outbursts was also a talent in itself, as it's often peculiar and gross to find stuff like that funny, but the way it was scripted and the expressions used made some of it so comical.
 There were also appearances of Emily Browning, who played Frances Kray, Reggie Kray's late wife. So yes ladies, there was a massive love interest in the film. For me, this love story softened the edges of Reggie a bit as he was, both in the film and in reality, drawn and devoted to her despite his criminal lifestyle. Despite the film purely being about the activity of the twins, it also captures Frances's emotions towards the times where her former husband was in prison, out for business and causing trouble. This comes to a tragic ending for her two years after the marriage, but I don't want to spoil that for you...

The film captures the deluded glamor associated with the gangster cult at this time, as pretty much everyone wanted to be associated with the Kray's, even Barbra Streisand! Back to Frances again, it shows the vulnerability and female tendencies to want a bit of a 'bad boy' for fun and security.  Needless to say, who wouldn't want Tom Hardy as a gangster for that? (I joke, but he was a very handsome Reggie)


 I'm also so happy about the fact that the film didn't in any way glamorise gang crime, murder and violence, but at the same time it was so captivating and in some places, humorous.  I will put my hands up and surprisingly admit I do love a good gang film, and this washes the floor with any other that I have seen. I thought Green Street was a good film, but 'Legend' makes it look like a scrap between school girls...


Favourite scene...

The fight scene between the twins was so funny yet sort of upsetting at the same time. I also loved the scene at the end where Reggie kills out of love and respect for his wife and walks through London during the night time with all the dramatic music. Dammit, the whole film was spectacular!

Favourite cast member...

Tom Hardy and Emily Browning were amazing together. Also, David Thewlis (Professor Lupin from Harry Potter) was a nice surprise and played the role of the main 'business associate' perfectly.



Honestly, I think the cast played their part so well and couldn't fault anything. Everything from the scenery, to the soundtrack and costumes was spot on. Never was there a dull moment. That is saying something for me because normally I get bored half way through films and fall asleep. Even the business talks in this film had me hooked. Before I saw this film, I was interested in the ways and life of the Kray twins. This film fuelled that interest even more, yet it answered so many questions for me. I was chuffed to bits that someone finally decided to make a decent film about something so influential and central to some of Britain's history of crime.

There's nothing more I can say, just check out the trailer and go see it pronto!

You won't be disappointed unless you're a miserable twat! 

(I joke, each to their own. But seriously, don't miss out)

Let me know what you think!