Legend is proof if you still needed it that Tom Hardy is one of the finest British actors working today. The way in which Hardy inhabits and individualises each of the criminal Kray twins, portraying them as vastly different characters despite their identical appearances, deserves all sorts of plaudits. Legend isnt perfect as an irritatingly jarring voiceover will remind you at regular intervals but Hardys performances more than justified the price of admission. And, indeed, many people paid that price. Legend is now the most financially successful September release of all time at the UK box office, the biggest UK opening ever for StudioCanal and the most lucrative 18-rated British film at the UK box office. Despite its flaws, Legend is a testament to what British cinema is capable of. With the help of American director Brian Hengleland, this movie has a sexy stylishness to it that invokes iconic gangster classics like Goodfellas, adding towards a smooth viewing experience that it's very easy to get entranced by. This is particularly true whenever Tom Hardy is on screen. The dual casting of Hardy as both Ronnie and Reggie Kray couldve come across as a dumb gimmick, but instead it resulted in one of the best British movies of the year. It'll surely be a while before we see such an excellent double performance.
