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Legend! Because I wasn't old enough to see it in the cinema...
I actually really enjoyed it. Legend tells the story of the Kray twins, beginning just after Ronald Kray is certified insane, with paranoid schizophrenia. It then follows them through to *SPOILERS* the murder of Jack McVitie in 1967, and the eventual downfall and arrest of the Kray twins. Subplots include the tragic arc of Reggie's wife, Frances Shea, who provides some nice contrast to the incredible masculinity of the rest of the film.
My main qualms going into the film was Tom Hardy playing both the twins - I'd never seen one actor play twins before, and was a little bit nervous he would ignore the differences between them. He didn't. In fact I forgot it was the same actor. While they look almost identical, and share some mannerisms, they are completely different characters and neither the script nor Hardy tries to deny it. He did an absolutely phonemail job, especially in the scenes where they are often in the same shot, I soon forgot about it. Emily Browning also did a fantastic job as Reggie's wife, Frances, and David Thewlis as the twins' business advisor.
Many reviews I read of the film seemed to see the film as glamourising crime and violence; I don't think it did. The film was clearly infatuated with the Twins and their reputation, but as far I could see it seemed intent on portraying their lives and surroundings as honestly as possible - the film shows plenty of the dark side of crime.
Overall I'd say this was a solid film, held together mainly by it's acting with a decent script and a good story to tell. And that's exactly it, past all the punches and "****s", its a damn good story.
I actually really enjoyed it. Legend tells the story of the Kray twins, beginning just after Ronald Kray is certified insane, with paranoid schizophrenia. It then follows them through to *SPOILERS* the murder of Jack McVitie in 1967, and the eventual downfall and arrest of the Kray twins. Subplots include the tragic arc of Reggie's wife, Frances Shea, who provides some nice contrast to the incredible masculinity of the rest of the film.
My main qualms going into the film was Tom Hardy playing both the twins - I'd never seen one actor play twins before, and was a little bit nervous he would ignore the differences between them. He didn't. In fact I forgot it was the same actor. While they look almost identical, and share some mannerisms, they are completely different characters and neither the script nor Hardy tries to deny it. He did an absolutely phonemail job, especially in the scenes where they are often in the same shot, I soon forgot about it. Emily Browning also did a fantastic job as Reggie's wife, Frances, and David Thewlis as the twins' business advisor.
Many reviews I read of the film seemed to see the film as glamourising crime and violence; I don't think it did. The film was clearly infatuated with the Twins and their reputation, but as far I could see it seemed intent on portraying their lives and surroundings as honestly as possible - the film shows plenty of the dark side of crime.
Overall I'd say this was a solid film, held together mainly by it's acting with a decent script and a good story to tell. And that's exactly it, past all the punches and "****s", its a damn good story.