Legend

Dir: Brian Helgeland

2015

****

Brian Helgeland's Legend is based on John Pearson's non-fictional book The Profession of Violence: The Rise of the Kray Twins. Much of what is known about the notorious gangsters is shrouded in secrecy and urban myth but a few of their associates have been known to spill the beans over the years and set the record straight. Sometimes legend is more interesting than fact though and it has come to the point now where you're never really sure what the truth behind the pair and their firm really is. In many respects we will now never know the full truth but John Pearson's book was written in the early seventies when information was still available from the right people and the Krays were still very much alive. Pearson has been celebrated since for his meticulous research and accuracy and is considered to be one of the most respected biographers still working today. Considering this, and the fact that Brian Helgeland met with certain associates of the Krays, including Freddie Foreman, I think the story is largely believable, although the film doesn't really deal with the where’s, who’s and when’s, but more in the relationship the brothers had with each other. The Krays were identical twins but were very different characters, this is essential what Legend is about. It addresses Ronnie Kray's pathological and psychiatric instabilities and how his brother Reggie was often torn between his devotion for his brother and making the right choices, both in business and in relationships. The film is narrated by Reggie's first wife Frances Shea who tells the viewers the difference between the two twins throughout the film. It's an interesting concept and the only real fantasy element of the film but it didn't really work for me, but then I already knew the story, more importantly, hers. It is interesting how certain characters are left out of the story, Freddie Foreman for one, and other more notorious names such as Mad Frankie Fraser too. I guess this was so the film wasn't clouded in too much detail, although the Richardson gang are featured, as is one of their famous Kangaroo Court sessions (where I think Mad Frankie Fraser's character may have appeared uncredited and without any lines). In some respects I wanted a little more of the history, as disappointing as the truth may have been compared to the legend, it would have been interesting to see. 1990's The Krays covered this in many respects, although details, such as Ronnie's open homosexuality, weren't explored particularly well. So I admire the film's focus, I just wanted much more of a biographic. However, Tom Hardy's double performance as both twin more than makes up for the details. He is magnificent as each man and the way his double performance is handled is the best I've seen in this method (with 2002's Adaptation a close second). This is also Emily Browning's best film to date and Christopher Eccleston, David Thewlis, Taron Egerton and Paul Bettany are all brilliant in their supporting roles and there is a very nice little cameo from the great Chazz Palminteri as Angelo 'The Gentle Don' Bruno, one time boss of the Philadelphia crime family. The direction is impressive throughout and I was entertained from start to finish. The film does stumble into clichéd territory towards the end of the film but straightens itself up before the finale. It does well not to glorify the pair in any way, it feeds the legend somewhat but is never too misleading (except maybe in the narration but, artistic license and all that).