The best crime film of 2015, Legend, tells the true-life story of Reggie and Ron Kray, the gangster twins who ruled 1960s London. Tom Hardy convincingly plays both guys. Occasionally the two twins are on camera at the same time (I counted six set-ups).
Both of these East End twin thugs are tough as nails, merciless and relentless. But besides being brutal, Reggie is crafty. Ron is a raving psychopath, what the Brits call starkers. Ron is also homosexual.
The rise of the Kray gang, spurred on by a combination of initiative, ruthlessness and luck, is fascinating. But, of course, it’s just not sustainable to have someone who is certifiably insane as one of the decision-makers. There’s plenty of humor, mostly deriving from Ron’s antics.
Legend benefits from a strong cast. Emily Browning pulls off a major role as Reggie’s wife. David Thewlis is really good as the brains in the Kray’s enterprise. Even the actors playing various gang members are good, especially Reggie’s massive enforcer and Ron’s two pretty boys. And Chazz Palminteri has a hilarious turn as an American mobster.