Watch Legend

In the 2015 crime thriller, Legend, Tom Hardy seamlessly plays both Ronnie and Reggie Kray, legendary identical twin gangsters from London’s East End. The movie is set in the 1960s during the peak of their infamous reign and follows the Kray twins’ rise to power and eventual downfall. The movie opens with Reggie, charming and level-headed, already established as a prominent figure within the London underworld. He falls in love with Frances Shea (Emily Browning), who narrates the story and tells the audience of her life with Reggie. Ronnie, Reggie’s psychopathic brother, has just been freed from a psychiatric institution and returns to London to join his brother’s empire. Through flashbacks and Frances’ perspective, we learn of their childhood and how they grew into the notorious figures they are.

As the Kray twins’ influence in London grows, their activities become more violent and reckless. They own several nightclubs and protection rackets, but their reach extends to gambling, drugs, and pornography. They become so powerful that Scotland Yard has no choice but to go after them with all their resources.

Taron Egerton’s character, Teddy Smith, becomes an important figure in the twins’ empire, as he acts as their intermediary between American Mafia and the Kray Twins. He is initially amazed and drawn to the Kray’s lavish lifestyle before realizing that he has inadvertently become a part of their brutal world.

Emily Browning’s character offers a refreshing take on the typical damsel in distress trope; despite being Reggie Kray’s love interest, Frances does not fit that mold. She is portrayed as smart and independent, with dreams and ambitions beyond a life of crime. Her character humanizes Hardy’s Reggie, as he becomes more vulnerable and emotional around her.

The acting in this movie is top-notch; Tom Hardy deserves praise for portraying both twins with such distinctive personalities that it’s easy to forget it’s the same actor. Emily Browning’s performance is also noteworthy; she brings depth to Frances’ struggle with loving Reggie, specifically when he loses control due to his jealousy and temper.

The production design is impressive, as the movie captures the 60s aesthetic perfectly, from the popular Beatles music to the wardrobes and sets. The cinematography is also stunning, particularly in the nightclub scenes, where the neon lights contrast beautifully with the dark and seedy atmosphere.

Though the movie doesn’t shy away from the Kray Twins’ brutal and notorious reputation, the film does have some shortcomings. The character development outside of the Kray twins and Frances is lacking, as many of the supporting characters feel like afterthoughts. Additionally, some storylines feel underdeveloped, making the climax feel a bit rushed.

However, the intensity of the film and the excellent acting make up for any shortcomings. Tom Hardy, in particular, delivers a standout performance that cements him as one of the most talented actors of his generation. Overall, Legend is an engaging crime drama that captures the height of the Kray twins’ power and the downfall that inevitably followed.

Legend is a 2015 crime movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 55.