Legend is a movie from 2015 starring Tom Hardy opposite Tom Hardy and highlights the life and career of the "rulers of the London" in the 1960's: the Kray Brothers.
Playing identical twin brothers Ronald and Reginald Kray, Tom Hardy does a fantastic job capturing the unique quirks of each brother. He captures the smooth talking, suave, nice, yet unbelievably cruel Reggie Kray and the psychotic yet lovable Ronnie Kray. He makes each character come alive in a way that no production has before and this production has clearly done its research into the life and final arrests of the Krays.
The movie interested me enough into watching a documentary on the Kray Brothers and from what their gang did in London back in the 60's in comparison to the movie and the actual brothers and the violence that followed them was far worse in real life than what was presented in the movie. The movie focused more on the family aspect, the bond between the brothers and how they accomplished things, as well as Reggie's relationship with his eventual wife Frances (Emily Browning). It was because of this focus on the family that it made the few fight scenes like the bar fight, a fight between Reg & Ron, and a few other violent moments so much more meaningful. It was knowing that the Kray's were much more violent yet they chose to focus on blood bonds over violence that interested me. The movie managed to bring the 1960's London back to life, the bars have been kept up since those times so obviously that doesn't need much fixing but the other set pieces and props had a very 60's feel to them. It made the movie feel authentic.
This movie honestly came down to Tom Hardy's performance because he was both main characters and I just have to say that there is a reason that Hardy is one of the most sought after leading men in Hollywood, he does nothing but a stellar job at capturing each brother and making himself look like a true gangster in the process. The supporting cast around him does a fantastic job but it's Hardy's duel role as Ron & Reggie Kray that makes this movie shine.
I am a big fan of gangster movies, as such I'm hard to impress, but this movie managed to impress me. I don't know if it's because of the concept or that English gangs aren't something I've seen a lot of in film, whatever the case may be LEGEND was a great movie and I recommend taking time out to see it on Netflix or whatever other service you use.
Playing identical twin brothers Ronald and Reginald Kray, Tom Hardy does a fantastic job capturing the unique quirks of each brother. He captures the smooth talking, suave, nice, yet unbelievably cruel Reggie Kray and the psychotic yet lovable Ronnie Kray. He makes each character come alive in a way that no production has before and this production has clearly done its research into the life and final arrests of the Krays.
The movie interested me enough into watching a documentary on the Kray Brothers and from what their gang did in London back in the 60's in comparison to the movie and the actual brothers and the violence that followed them was far worse in real life than what was presented in the movie. The movie focused more on the family aspect, the bond between the brothers and how they accomplished things, as well as Reggie's relationship with his eventual wife Frances (Emily Browning). It was because of this focus on the family that it made the few fight scenes like the bar fight, a fight between Reg & Ron, and a few other violent moments so much more meaningful. It was knowing that the Kray's were much more violent yet they chose to focus on blood bonds over violence that interested me. The movie managed to bring the 1960's London back to life, the bars have been kept up since those times so obviously that doesn't need much fixing but the other set pieces and props had a very 60's feel to them. It made the movie feel authentic.
This movie honestly came down to Tom Hardy's performance because he was both main characters and I just have to say that there is a reason that Hardy is one of the most sought after leading men in Hollywood, he does nothing but a stellar job at capturing each brother and making himself look like a true gangster in the process. The supporting cast around him does a fantastic job but it's Hardy's duel role as Ron & Reggie Kray that makes this movie shine.
I am a big fan of gangster movies, as such I'm hard to impress, but this movie managed to impress me. I don't know if it's because of the concept or that English gangs aren't something I've seen a lot of in film, whatever the case may be LEGEND was a great movie and I recommend taking time out to see it on Netflix or whatever other service you use.