Based on a true story, Legend chronicles the life of the Kray twins, Reggie and Ronnie, gangsters who ruled East London in the 1960s. The film is told through the eyes of, the very innocent and vulnerable, Frances (Reggie’s wife).
What makes this film stand out is it’s leads – Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy! He is phenomenal as the twins. The brothers couldn’t be any more different to each other – as is Hardy’s portrayal of them. In any other actor’s hands, these two could have become mere charicatures – but not with Hardy. I got lost in his performances, marvelling that he was in fact carrying this off so successfully! At Oscar time, the question is not going to be, will he be nominated; instead it will be, will he be nominated twice? Once for each performance?
That said, the supporting cast also hold their own, especially Emily Browning, who plays Reggie’s naive and ever tortured wife Frances. She brings the softness and heart to this film.
But it’s not all rainbows and happiness, it is a gangster film after all, and in true gangster style, it doesn’t hold back when it comes to violence. There are many gruesome scenes that give the likes of Scarface and The Godfather a run for their money. That said, this film is not in the same league as the aforementioned ones.
Legend is a good gangster film, but, excluding Hardy’s performance, there is nothing legendary about it.
Hi,
I’m Sarina Bellissimo and this is the place I come to indulge in my love of all things entertainment. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated by all things Hollywood/showbiz. I blame my parents!
As a child my mum used to force me to watch old Elvis Presley films with her, and both my mum & dad would take my brothers and I to the Drive-In to watch the latest films (this is where my love for ROCKY began!). When not watching movies, I was trying to figure out ways to pull the back off the TV so I could somehow get into it and be a part of all the action on the screen!
This blog isn’t a place that revels in gossip and negativity. It’s a place where entertainment is celebrated. That said, this is a place you can turn to for honesty. Honesty and criticism don’t always mean attacks. I choose to criticise the piece of work but not the person and I acknowledge that just because I don’t like something, it doesn’t mean someone else won’t.
Here you’ll find interviews with some of the biggest names in the world of Entertainment, reviews, breaking news and my very own musings.
Away from The Bellissimo Files, you can find me on Spin 1038 on Saturdays, between 1pm and 3pm,presenting Plan B. There’s celebrity interviews, entertainment news, the low down on the must see movies and music releases of the week, the ultimate guide to what’s on where in the city, as well as masterclasses with experts on standby to answer listeners’ questions.
I also appear on TV3’s “Elaine” panel, talk movies on “Ireland AM” and you can sometimes hear me filling in on Moncrieff’s “Movies and Booze “(Newstalk)
The Bellissimo Files is constantly evolving. Files (topics) will be added or deleted as time goes on. Feel free to read, watch, comment, share, and make suggestions for what you would like to see on the site.
Sarina
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