Review: LEGEND is Great, Tom Hardy is Better

Let's start with the title.

The titular legend refers to Reginald and Ronald Kray (both played by Tom Hardy), gangster princes of 1960's London. The Kray twins have the city in their hands, even attracting the attention of famous American mobster Meyer Lansky. Lansky, known as the "mob's accountant," sees money to be made by turning London into the Las Vegas of Europe and wants the Krays to be his eyes and his ears (and, more importantly, his muscle). For a minute, everything is coming up roses for Reggie -- money is flowing in, and he has fallen in love with a local girl, Frances (Emily Browning), who makes him promise to go straight.

But the good times don't last -- how could they in a movie like this? Ronnie's fear of losing his brother and his self-destructive tendencies re-invigorate an on-going Scotland Yard investigation. And Reggie's broken promise to Frances, which lasted all of two weeks, endangers their marriage, which proves to be a dangerous threat to not only the brothers' empire, but to all three of their lives as well.

Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, LEGEND is a worthy addition to the gangster genre, boasting a strong story and excellent performances led by Tom Hardy. Hardy delivers an epic, must-see performance as Reggie and Ronnie Kray. Both are two distinct men, each with their own defined style, voice, mannerisms, etc. Maybe the ultimate compliment is to say that if someone told me two different actors played the Kray twins, I'd believe them.

Ronnie is a character. Diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, Ronnie seems almost childlike, seemingly helpless to contain his feelings, a man described as desperately looking for reassurance. He is also unpredictable and violent, a pitbull with spittle flying from his mouth. Simply put, the kind of man who would try to bite another man's face off. Hardy plays Ronnie with a hulking, open-mouthed physicality, bodily dominating the frame when he is on-screen. Reggie, on the other hand, is an Old Hollywood movie star -- sleek and charming, well-dressed and polished. He commands attention, and elicits fear, like his brother. While not the loose cannon Ronnie is, Reggie proves himself to be just as dangerous, scarier even because when he erupts it contrasts so much with the image he projects. The differences between the two men slip away as the film progresses, as resignation settles on Reggie's shoulders like an actual weight and he slowly grows to resemble Ronnie, his own shoulders hunched and filling the frame.

The relationship between the two brothers is the most fascinating aspect of the film, and one that is not particularly dwelled upon. At least, not obviously. They are men undeniably, inextricably bound to each other, but also disconnected, often physically and emotionally. It comes to a head in two scenes in which the brothers fight. Both scenes are intense and raw, brimming with an emotional intensity that is show-stopping.

Emily Browning's Frances is our way into the world of the Krays, and a woman who has apparently never seen a gangster film before. Frances is euphemistically described as "fragile" and "delicate," a note Browning hits well, particularly when juxtaposed against a later scene, after Frances has left Reggie, that Browning plays with such clarity and peace that it inspires dread, anticipation that soon Frances will live up to Ronnie's earlier comment that she can see the future. Multiple parallels are drawn between Frances and Ronnie, kindred spirits and rivals for Reggie's loyalty. Hardy and Browning no doubt have chemistry, regardless of which brother he is playing in a particular scene.

Briefly, let's talk about the narration. Browning's Frances sets the scene and guides us through the story from a special position of omnipotence. It doesn't distract from the film, but it doesn't really add either. I couldn't help but think Helgeland must not have trusted the audience, which is a shame. Such strong performances, lead of course by Hardy, could have easily carried the film without it. I will say, in its defense, that it certainly drives home the "legend" aspect. And there are worse ways to get exposition.

I also want to mention that LEGEND is a period piece that looks great and sounds even better. The film features a fun and impressive soundtrack of standards and 60s pop, particularly Duffy as Reggie Kray favorite Timi Yuro. Duffy makes multiple appearances as Yuro in Reggie's nightclub and her vocal performances are out of this world good. Everything combines in LEGEND to make a supremely watchable film.

LEGEND, starring Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, David Thewlis, Christopher Eccleston, Chazz Palminteri, Tara Fitzgerald, and Taron Egerton, is rated R for strong violence, language throughout, some sexual and drug material.