Film review: Legend (18)

Tom Hardy seems to be one of those actors (so far, at least) that simply doesn’t do bad movies.

Be it his turn as Bane in the Dark Knight Rises, his portrayal of Charles Bronson or playing an ex-KGB agent in this year’s Child 44, he’s also proving to be extremely versatile.

That’s something he takes to the next level in Legend, as he stars as both notorious Kray twins Ronnie and Reggie in Brian Helgeland’s (LA Confidential) version of events that took place in 1960s London.

If you’ve read up on the Krays or have seen the 1990 film starring Gary and Martin Kemp, you’ll be aware of the true story and the characters around in their rise and ultimate fall.

Legend feels much different to any of the other previous source material, although the gruesome fates of George Cornell and Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie still (of course) take centre stage.

For starters, we pick up the story with the twins fully-fledged adults running the East London crime scene.

They’re aiming to work their way into the West End’s club scene via brutal violence, extortion, and the most hostile of takeovers.

Those of you in the know will recognises Hardy’s take on Reggie. He’s a classic old school cockney gangster full of witty chat, while also being incredibly handy with his fists.

This version of Ronnie, however, is a little different than we’ve seen portrayed before. Much more mentally unhinged, he’s also incredibly open about being gay.

I don’t know how accurate this take on the more dangerous twin is, but I did enjoy every scene he was in.

There’s also a larger role given to Reggie’s eventual wife Frances (the excellent Emily Browning – Pompeii). She’s the voice of the film from the off, with the story seemingly told through her eyes.

There’s an incredibly talented supporting cast too, including former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston as Nipper Read, the intense cop determined to bring the brothers down.

David Thewlis (The Theory Of Everything) is also great as Leslie Payne, who served as the Kray’s fixer, while there’s a host of top British talent filling pretty much every other significant role.

Legend is all about Hardy and his performances, though. For me, this is his best film to date. Playing two very different lead roles in the same film must have been very challenging, but I thought he nailed both of them.

Having two Hardys on screen at the same time was done seamlessly, too.

Some may feel that his Ronnie is a little over the top, but I would have to disagree.

Hardy is a magnetising presence in both roles and helps make this the best Krays film to date.

If you want more backstory and a look at their youth, the 1990s offering is still essential viewing (including a much deeper look at the brothers’ bond with their mother).

But Legend spends more time looking at the business end of the Krays reign of terror – and is one of my favourite gangster films for quite some time.

Voice Verdict: 9/10
+ Hardy is awesome in two differing roles
+ Great supporting cast
+ Amazing use of ‘two Hardys’
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Sept 18 to Thurs, Sept 24)

**EVEREST 3D (12A)
10am (Sat/Sun), 3.20pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 6pm (daily), 8.40pm (daily)

**EVEREST 2D (12A)
12.40pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 8.40pm (not Fri/Tues/Thurs)

**BILL (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun), Noon (Sat/Sun), 2.10pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 4.20pm (daily), 6.30pm (not Fri/Tues/Thurs)

THE MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS 3D (12A)
Noon (Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.30pm (daily)

THE MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS 2D (12A)
2.45pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 8.20pm (daily)

LEGEND (18)
Noon (Wed), 2.45pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.40pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING (12A)
10am (Sat/Sun)

THE VISIT (15)
6.30pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)

INSIDE OUT 2D (U)
2.45pm (Sat/Sun), 4pm (not Sat/Sun)

PIXELS 2D (12A)
12.25pm (Sat/Sun)

MINIONS 2D (U)
10am (Sat/Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10.30am – Tinkerbell: The Legend Of The Neverbeast (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Ricki And The Flash (12A)

** DENOTES FREE LIST SUSPENDED