Volatile, Capricious, Impulsive, Real-life U.K. Gangsters

Rating: 7/10 (8 November 2015)

When your mother wears all black to your wedding, you may be marrying the wrong person. Identical twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray rise up in the London underworld of the 1960s. The film is based on a true story. Ronnie is a loose cannon, passive/aggressive, volatile, capricious, impulsive and gay gangster. His greatest strength is also his most obvious weakness in that he speaks the truth and lets his feelings be known, just a bit too bluntly. Reggie is the more restrained and practical one, yet he also has a temper. It isn't a good idea to get either brother angry at you. When their tempers combine or collide, you'd better run.
The film is narrated by Frances, Reggie's girlfriend. Tom Hardy performs as both Reggie and Ronnie. I love taking a look at the underworlds of any culture. The characters and settings are fascinating and all the more wonderful because they are real. English to English subtitles are needed however. Tom Hardy was amazing, yet he was overacting. There was too much emphasis placed on him when the other themes, stories and characters needed more attention. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival 2015.