The Krays
Dir: Peter Medak
1990
****
Peter Medak's 1990 crime drama exploring the rise of the noturious Kray brothers has certainly stood the test of time. It remains as powerful as it was on its release, even if the actors haven't. Peter Medak made sure not to skip over any detail too, Ronald Kray's homosexuality in particular. However, much of the story and the representation of a couple of key characters is fictitious and almost bordering on slander. That said, this isn't really a biopic in the classical sense, instead, the film raises questions and questions the reasons behind the brothers' notoriety beyond the fact that they killed people. How can a man treat his wife so badly when idolizing his mother so much? The artistic licence exercised is warranted and very effective, the thrill and horror of the story is well represented but it is the beautifully symbolic scenes that make it great. I've never understood the admiration the Krays have received over the years and the film really does go some way in explaining how the contrast of charisma and threat can appeal, even though it makes very little sense. It's of a time and of a place, an almost theatrical retelling of an infamous story.