Even Two Tom Hardy's cannot Save Legend's Lacklustre Script

Rating: 5/10 (4 October 2015)

There's a compelling film lurking beneath the surface of 'Legend'. Brief glimpses highlight something greater that sadly never came to fruition.
'Legend' is a biopic centered on the infamous Kray twins in London during the sixties; it chronicles their rise to power and eventual downfall.
I can see why people would shout their praise for 'Legend', but only if they were completely blind to its numerous flaws. Although I find the film far from gripping it does succeed on a couple of fronts. Tom Hardy offers up an excellent performance as Reggie Kray. You can almost feel the rage building up inside him as the more thoughtful and less brash of the twins. The set design is an important part of the film as it helps you feel like you are watching the narrative unfold during the sixties.
One troublesome aspect of 'Legend' is Tom Hardy's other performance as the demented Ronnie Kray, whom at the start of the film is in a mental home. At times Hardy nails the feel of the character acting subdued and lost in his surroundings. Then the other part of his performance kicks in and you become thrown off balance because of how drastically it has changed and for the worst. Ronnie Kray becomes little more than a cartoon character, out of place in the world that Director Brian Helgeland has constructed. Numerous times we are told that Ronnie is a homosexual. Yet, the script is unsure whether this is a laughing matter or not. After all admitting to being a homosexual was considered a severe crime in the sixties. That's where the tone of the film falters; are we supposed to take everything as a joke or at face value? As the character of Frances (Reggie's Girlfriend) would point us towards the latter option.
A voice-over should only be used sparingly and if it actually offers us insight into the character's mind. If used all the time it becomes an irritation and takes the audience out of the moment. France's voice- over makes little sense within the context of the film. She offers explanations to events that she was not present at, so how could she know? Frances interrupts the narrative flow of the film on numerous occasions. So much so that the film does not let you figure out anything on your own and the whole affair plays out more like a book than a film. Did the Director forget that film is a visual medium? But, why can't he even trust his audience? It feels insulting and I do not want every single detail spelled out for myself.
'Legend' had potential. So what happened? If a polished script was in use then I could see 'Legend' being remembered in years to come. But when your competition is 'The Godfather' and 'Goodfellas' you have to up your game. Two Tom Hardy's really is not enough if your script is weak and underdeveloped. If a talented Director was given this material then they could at least have made it memorable; instead of becoming the sorely squandered potential that 'Legend' truly is.