Based on the novel The Profession of Violence by John Pearson, Legend is the story of twin brothers who become infamous criminals in the 1950s/1960s as they would rise big and later fall. Written for the screen and directed by Brian Helgeland, the film is a look into the rise and fall of the twin brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray who were infamous for their exploits in the world of crime as they’re both portrayed by Tom Hardy. Also starring Emily Browning, David Thewlis, Christopher Eccleston, Taron Egerton, Duffy, Paul Bettany, Colin Morgan, Tara Fitzgerald, and Chazz Palminteri. Legend is a gripping yet stylish film from Brian Helgeland.
Set mainly in 1960s London, the film is the simple story of the rise and fall of the twin brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray who were the most dangerous and richest gangsters in all of London as they ran casinos and clubs to great heights. Yet, it is told by someone who knew the Krays in their rise as she would eventually become Reggie’s wife in Frances Shea (Emily Browning) where she would also see their fall in the late 1960s. Brian Helgeland’s screenplay is quite straightforward though it is largely told from Frances’ perspective in her voiceover narration yet it play into the Krays who may look alike and have violent tendencies but they’re both very different. Reggie is more organized as he also craves for a simpler and more straight life driven by his love for Frances while Ronnie is the more unstable of the two as he is mentally-ill and unpredictable as well as be openly-gay.
The script also play into the conflict where Frances often find herself in the middle as she represents the one person that can give Reggie a life away from crime which is something Ronnie doesn’t want. Ronnie wants to be a full-time criminal and stick to anyone that goes against them yet Reggie wants to maintain some control and make some money. Once their rise progresses, Reggie would eventually realize that Ronnie is a liability as he struggles to be a husband to Frances but also to watch over his brother. Still, Reggie wouldn’t expect how far Ronnie would play into their downfall.
Helgeland’s direction is simple at times but also quite stylish in some respects as it definitely captures the world of 1960s London where it is shot on location in the city as well as part of the East End area of the city. Much of Helgeland’s compositions in the wide and medium shots are simple to establish the locations yet he doesn’t shy away from how brutal some of the violence was back then. Helgeland would also create some element of style such as a sequence where Reggie has his first date with Frances where he would create this long tracking shot sequence in one take where Reggie would go to the back of a club to deal with business and then return to Frances. It is an inventive moment while there are elements of style that play into the world of 1960s club world where the people of power, wealth, and celebrity would hang out with gangsters as there is a sense of cool in that. When the film reaches its third act where it begins with a chilling moment of violence, it does play into this fall where it’s not just about a lack of control for Reggie but also Ronnie becoming more unruly as the film becomes more grim with the inevitable finally coming into play. Overall, Helgeland creates a mesmerizing and stylish film about the rise and fall of the Kray brothers.
Cinematographer Dick Pope does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography from the way some of the daytime exteriors look as well as the lighting for many of the interior scenes set in the day at the pubs or at night for the clubs. Editor Peter McNulty does nice work with the editing as it is stylish with its rhythmic cuts to play into some of the action and violence while providing moments that doesn‘t stray into conventional fast-cutting. Production designer Tom Conroy, with set decorator Crispian Sallis and supervising art director Patrick Rolfe, does fantastic work with the design of the sets from the look of the clubs as well as the pubs and the homes that the characters live in. Costume designer Caroline Harris does excellent work with the costumes from the clothes of the men to the stylish dresses that Frances wears.
Hair/makeup designer Christine Blundell does terrific work with the hairstyles that the men had at the time as well as the array of hairstyles that Frances had. Visual effects supervisor Adam Rowland does some fine work with the visual effects which is mainly bits of set dressing and a few moments in the violence. Sound editor Dominic Gibbs and sound designer Ben Meecham do superb work with the sound from the way some of the violence is presented as well as the atmosphere of the clubs and social places the characters go to. The film’s music by Carter Burwell is wonderful for its mixture of lush orchestral music with some 60s style pop and rock music while music supervisors Liz Gallacher and Kirsten Lane create a fun soundtrack that feature a lot of the music of the times from Booker T. and the M.G.s, the Meters, Herbie Hancock, the Rockin’ Berries, Herman’s Hermits, Billy Preston, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Burt Bacharach, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, and Duffy.
The casting by Lucinda Syson is incredible as it feature some notable small roles from John Sessions as a British lord that Ronnie would befriend, Aneurin Barnard as the famed photographer David Bailey, Sam Spruell as the incompetent associate of the brothers in Jack McVitie, Adam Fogerty as the Krays’ muscle Big Pat, Kevin McNally as the then-British prime minister Harold Wilson who has a problem with the Krays, Jane Wood and Jon McKenna as the parents of the Krays, Paul Anderson as Reggie’s lieutenant Albert, and Tara Fitzgerald in a wonderful small roles as Frances and Frank’s mother who doesn’t like the Krays. Colin Morgan is terrific as Frances’ brother Frank who is also a driver for the Krays while Paul Bettany is superb in a small role as a rival gang leader from South London in Charlie Richardson.
Chazz Palminteri is excellent as American mob figure Angelo Bruno who makes a deal with the Krays while giving Reggie some advice about laying low as well as what to do when family becomes a liability. Taron Egerton is fantastic as Ronnie’s right-hand man Mad Teddy who could possibly be Ronnie’s lover as he is quite psychotic but also prove to be loyal to the Krays. Christopher Eccleston is brilliant as Leonard “Nipper” Read as a detective hell-bent on nabbing the Krays any way he can while he would also deal with humility and the need for redemption. David Thewlis is amazing as Leslie Payne as the Krays’ business manager who tries to assure them what they can do and can’t do while making Ronnie paranoid.
Emily Browning is remarkable as Frances Shea as a woman who meets and falls for Reggie Kray as she understands what he does but still loves him know he can do good but becomes overwhelmed by his focus on the business and Ronnie’s behavior. Finally, there’s Tom Hardy in a phenomenal dual performance as the twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray where Hardy provides some distinctive ideas for the characters. In Reggie, Hardy is more restrained and charming but also can be quite brutal at times where Hardy plays it cool. As Ronnie, Hardy puts on a more warped physicality to his performance as well as wear glasses and have more of an accent than Reggie as he is very dangerous but also quite comical as it’s really a tour-de-force performance for Hardy.
Legend is a sensational film from Brian Helgeland that features an incredible performance from Tom Hardy as Reggie and Ronnie Kray. Along with a fantastic supporting cast, cool music soundtrack, and a fascinating premise, it’s a film that explores the world of the British gangsters in the 1960s and the struggle between two brothers in their own different ambitions. In the end, Legend is a marvelous film from Brian Helgeland.
Brian Helgeland Films: (Payback) - A Knight's Tale - (The Order) - (42)
© thevoid99 2017
Directed by Dexter Fletcher and screenplay by Sean Macaulay and Simon Kelton from a story by Kelton, Eddie the Eagle is the real-life story of British Olympian Eddie Edwards who aspires to make it as an Olympian by being the first British to represent in the ski jump despite many obstacles including his lack of athletic gifts. The film is a simple story that plays into Edwards’ determination despite looking like a geek and teaming up with a former ski jump champion who sees his determination as Edwards is played by Taron Egerton. Also starring Hugh Jackman, Mark Benton, Keith Allen, Jo Hartley, Jim Broadbent, and Christopher Walken. Eddie the Eagle is a delightful yet winning film from Dexter Fletcher.
Set largely in late 1980s Britain, the film is the real life story of Eddie Edwards who is this young man that doesn’t look like an Olympian nor is someone that has the skills to be one yet somehow manages to become a hero for his home country. It’s a film that is typical of the underdog story yet it involves someone who dreamed about being an Olympian since he was a kid yet for all of his failures, bruises, broken bones, and such. Eddie Edwards for some reason just wouldn’t quit no matter how hard the obstacles are or the sense of indifference he endures from the British Olympic committee who sees him as a joke. The film’s script doesn’t just explore Edwards’ sense of determination but also in how he would try to find the sport that would give him the chance to be in the Olympics. Even as he’s given the chance to go to Germany to train without any sufficient funds where former U.S. ski champion Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) would watch and later train him by showing him the basics.
The script also explores the relationship between Edwards and Peary as the latter is someone that was seen as a gifted athlete who has become a washed-up alcoholic as he realizes that there’s something about Edwards that fascinates him. Even as Peary is a man that is still haunted by his own failures and the coach he had let down as he sees Edwards as a chance of redemption. By the time the film reaches the third act where Edwards goes to Calgary for the 1988 Winter Olympics despite the fact that he had to pay for his own trip and is being treated as a joke by officials and other athletes. He would some how manage to win the heart of the people who are baffled by his sense of heart and determination.
Dexter Fletcher’s direction is quite simple in terms of the compositions and the sense of excitement that looms throughout the film. Though he doesn’t really go for anything new while finding a nice balance of humor, drama, and exuberance. Fletcher does manage to find ways to keep the story engaging while not being afraid to by-the-books in terms of what is expected in the underdog scenario as it includes some unique training montages but also emphasize what makes ski jumping so unique in its simplicity. Shot in both Britain and in locations in Germany for the ski jump scenes including the film’s climax set in Calgary, Fletcher manages to create a world where things were simpler but also changing as it relates to Edwards where the Olympic officials see him as someone that they believe has no chance to represent Britain properly. Yet, Fletcher realizes that it’s not about someone winning a medal but rather someone who can make it to the Olympics whether he wins a medal or not but do it in a way that proves that anyone could do if they have heart, the determination, and some sheer balls. Overall, Fletcher crafts a very exhilarating film about a young man who determines to become an Olympian and prove that it could be done.
Cinematographer George Richmond does excellent work with the cinematography from the more low-key look of scenes set in Britain to the usage of lights for some of the scenes set at night during the mountains and ski training fields. Editor Martin Walsh does nice work with the editing as it is quite conventional with its montages and intense sports moments with the usage of slow-motion and some jump-cuts. Production designer Mike Gunn, with set decorator Naomi Moore and art directors Tim Blake and Astrid Poeschke, does amazing work with the look of Edwards‘ family home and the van that is owned by his father to the training facility in Germany as well as the look of the Olympic villages. Hair/makeup designer Nadia Stacey does terrific work with the look of Edwards from his terrible haircut as well as his imperfect teeth to create the look of someone who doesn‘t look like an Olympian.
Visual effects supervisor Matt Kasmir do brilliant work with some of the visual effects for scenes that is essentially set-dressing to recreate the look of 1988 Calgary for the film‘s climax. Sound editor Danny Sheehan does superb work with the sound in the way a jump sounds as well as the sounds of the crowd for the scenes at the Olympics. The film’s music by Matthew Margeson is wonderful for its mixture of low-key orchestral textures for the dramatic moments along with the usage of 80s-inspired synth-pop music to play into the feel of the 80s. The film’s soundtrack that is supervised by Gary Barlow of Take That provides a lot of music from the 80s from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Thin Lizzy, Hall & Oates, and Van Halen along with new music from Frankie Goes to Hollywood vocalist Holly Johnson, Marc Almond of Soft Cell, Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet, Howard Jones, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
The casting by Reg Poerscout-Edgerton is phenomenal as it features from notable small roles from Tom Costello Jr. & Jack Costello as young versions of Edwards, Iris Berben as the German training camp bar mistress Petra, Rune Temte as the Norwegian coach, Mads Sjogard Pettersen and Marc Benjamin as couple of Norwegian ski jumpers, and Edvin Endre as the famed Finnish ski-jumping champion Matti “The Flyin’ Finn” Nykanen. Mark Benton and Tim McInnerny are terrific as the British Olympic officials with the former being someone skeptical of Edwards’ skills while the latter is a more old-school figure who believes Edwards is a total embarrassment. Jim Broadbent is fantastic in a small but fun role as the BBC commentator who becomes one of Edwards’ supporters. Christopher Walken is superb in his brief role as Peary’s old coach in Warren Sharpe whom Edwards would read about as well as learn the ideas of ski jumping where Peary would find the book and try to make amends with his old mentor.
Keith Allen and Jo Hartley are amazing as Edwards’ parents with the former as a stern father who is aghast at his son’s determination believing he’s become reckless while the latter is someone who believes in her son’s work while being the only person that is willing to give him the money to travel and train. Hugh Jackman is brilliant as Bronson Peary as a former ski jump champion who has become a washed-up snow groomer who takes a liking to Edwards as he decides to help him through some unconventional training as well as simplify things that can make Edwards a good ski jumper. Finally, there’s Taron Egerton in a remarkable role as Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards as this gangly, nerdy young man who is the opposite of what an Olympian looks yet has a sense of heart and determination that is so engaging while Egerton displays a physicality that adds a lot more to the character without the need to ham it up as it’s a really a performance deserving of someone to root for.
Eddie the Eagle is a wonderful film from Dexter Fletcher. While it is a very conventional film that does play into the underdog film formula. It is a film that manages to hit the right notes as well as display fantastic performances from Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton as well as a fun soundtrack. In the end, Eddie the Eagle is a stellar film from Dexter Fletcher.
© thevoid99 2016
Based on the comic book The Secret Service by Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar, Kingsman: The Secret Service is the story of a young man who is recruited to be part of a secret spy organization where they try to save the world from a megalomaniacal man of great wealth. Directed by Matthew Vaughn and screenplay by Vaughn and Jane Goldman, the film is a take on the world of spies and what it takes to become a badass spy with a sense of style. Starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Sophie Cookson, Sofia Boutella, Mark Hamill, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Caine. Kingsman: The Secret Service is an exhilarating and fun film from Matthew Vaughn.
The film revolves around a young man, whose father had died when he was young, as he is recruited to be part of a secret organization from a man who feels he owes a debt to that young man’s father for saving his life. There, the two deal with a wealthy Internet mogul who has plans to wipe out most of the population in favor of saving the world as it forces the secret organization of the Kingsman to save the world. It’s a film with a simple plot that plays into a lot of the tropes that is expected in spy films such as world domination, chaos, and doing what is right. Yet, Matthew Vaughn and co-screenwriter Jane Goldman become aware of these clichés and play with those while investing their time in developing a young man who was going through an aimless life into finding something that has meaning.
The protagonist Eggsy (Taron Egerton) is a young kid who lost his father at a young age where he’s been living with his mother, an abusive stepfather, and infant half-sister where he had all of the grades and potential to be something more than a criminal but has a chip on his shoulder. When he meets Harry Hart aka Galahad (Colin Firth) who knew Eggsy’s father, he would bail him out and show him what he could be as Galahad is a spy that looks like a tailor but proves to be a formidable badass. Yet, Galahad is also dealing with the loss of one of his colleagues and needs a replacement where he and the Kingsman are dealing with this billionaire named Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) who is an odd villain of sorts. A billionaire with a lisp and can’t stand the sight of blood despite what he is doing to the world with his new free software that he gives to the world which really serves as what he is planning to do. Once Galahad and the Kingsman senior agent Merlin (Mark Strong) realize what they’re dealing with, they knew something had to be done which also prompts Eggsy to fulfill his own potential.
Matthew Vaughn’s direction is definitely stylish from some of the tracking shots and long takes he creates for some of the scenes to the mixture of violence and humor that is injected in the film. While it starts off with comical moments of violence, Vaughn does play into some of the impact that occurs such as an opening sequence where Eggsy’s father sacrifices himself to save three men from a suicide bomber which plays into Galahad making an oath to be there for Eggsy. While some of the action and suspenseful moments are quite gripping, Vaughn does find a way to inject some humor but also play into what is at stake where Eggsy learns what he has to do to become a Kingsman. Even in a tense moment where he meets with Kingsman leader Arthur (Michael Caine) that would serve as a major test to see if he can really become one. Vaughn’s usage of close-ups and medium shots do play into the drama as well as Eggsy coming to term with who he is but also someone that has a lot of attachments which is often the reason for why he never able to live up to his promises as a young man.
When the film reaches its third act where the Kingsman have to confront Valentine, it is presented in a grand scale in terms of its set pieces and what is at stake where Eggsy not only fulfills that potential. He also becomes aware of what is at stake where Vaughn does play with the conventions of these climaxes as some of it is very violent but also has this air of dark comedy that manages to be a whole lot of fun to watch. Especially in what Valentine unleashes into the world through his app which gave the world free internet and free cellphone usages which plays into the drawbacks of the modern world. Overall, Vaughn creates a very thrilling yet witty film about a young man who realizes his potential to be something more as well as saving the world.
Cinematographer George Richmond does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography with its usage of lights for many of the nighttime interior settings including the film‘s climax as well as some of the exteriors in the day to play off its natural look for scenes set in London. Editors Eddie Hamilton and Jon Harris do nice work with the editing as it does have some fast-paced rhythmic cuts for some of the action and conversations while knowing when not to cut such as some of the tracking shots. Production designer Paul Kirby, with supervising art director Andy Thomson and set decorators Naomi Moore, David Morison, and Jennifer Williams, does fantastic work with the set design from the look of the Kingsman base and its training facilities to the secret hideout where Valentine holds his party. Costume designer Arianne Phillips does terrific work with the costumes from the tailored suits the Kingsman wear as well as the stylish clothes of Valentine.
Hair/makeup designer Christine Blundell does wonderful work with the hairstyles of the characters including the one Galahad would wear during his brief comatose state. Visual effects supervisors Steven Begg, Huseyin Caner, and Matt Kasmir do fine work with some of the visual effects though some of the background stuff don‘t look finished at times. Sound designer Matthew Collinge and sound editor Danny Sheehan do superb work with the sound in creating some sound effects for some of the gadgets the Kingsman use along with some of the sound that occurs in the locations and places the characters go to. The film’s music by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson is amazing for its mixture of orchestral bombast and some pulsating electronic music as the latter plays more into Eggsy‘s personality while music supervisor Ian Neill creates a fun soundtrack that features a plethora of music ranging from rock, pop, and hip-hop from acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, KC and the Sunshine Band, Dire Straits, Take That, Dizzee Rascal, Iggy Azalea and Ellie Goulding, and Bryan Ferry.
The casting by Reg Poerscout-Edgerton is brilliant as it features notable small roles from Jack Cutmore-Scott, Tom Prior, and Fiona Hampton as a few Kingsman candidates, Hanna Alstrom as the Swedish princess who refuses to make a deal with Valentine, Bjorn Floberg as the Swedish prime minister, Richard Brake as an interrogator for the candidates, Jack Davenport as the original Lancelot who tried to save a professor, Geoff Bell as Eggsy’s abusive stepfather Dean, Samantha Womack as Eggsy’s mother whom he cares about, and Mark Hamill in a terrific role as Professor James Arnold as this man who would be a pawn into what Valentine is creating. Edward Holcroft is superb as the Kingsman candidate Charlie Hesketh who bears all of the attributes to be a Kingsman as he is the total opposite of what Eggsy brings to the organization.
Sofia Boutella is fantastic as Valentine’s amputated henchwoman Gazelle as this woman who is beautiful but dangerous as her sword-like legs are very dangerous. Sophie Cookson is amazing as Kingsman candidate Roxanne as a young woman who befriends Eggsy as she is one of the few who doesn’t dismiss his working-class background while being someone who can be a Kingsman and do what is right. Michael Caine is excellent as Arthur as the Kingsman leader who tries to sort out everything that is happening as well as deal with a world that is changing very rapidly. Mark Strong is awesome as Merlin as a senior Kingsman officer who is also the candidates’ trainer as a man that had seen so much as he is also the film’s conscious of sorts.
Samuel L. Jackson is phenomenal as Richmond Valentine as this megalomaniacal man of wealth who believes he has the answers for all of the problems of the world while doing it in a very evil way where Jackson brings charm but also some humor in his lisps and aversion to blood and violence. Colin Firth is remarkable as Galahad/Harry Hart as a Kingsman agent who personifies all of the things to be a spy that is full of control and style while also being the one person who can show Eggsy what he can be as it’s one of Firth’s finest performances. Finally there’s Taron Egerton in a real breakthrough as Eggsy as young man with a chip on his shoulder as someone that is lost and destined for trouble as he tries to find ways to better himself as well as bring meaning where Egerton manages to have some charm and dramatic weight to his role.
Kingsman: The Secret Service is a sensational film from Matthew Vaughn. Featuring a great cast and an inventive premise that manages to be fun and engaging, the film is truly not just a play on spy movies but also showcases the idea of what a gentleman can be when he’s facing the world in danger. In the end, Kingsman: The Secret Service is a rapturous film from Matthew Vaughn.
Matthew Vaughn Films: (Layer Cake) - (Stardust) - Kick-Ass - X-Men: First Class
© thevoid99 2015
