Brian Helgeland as either screenwriter or writer/director typically makes smart, engaging pictures. Here he takes on a true story and teams up with Tom Hardy in a dual role as the Krays, twin brother gangsters who ruled the East End of London in the 1960's. Anticipation was high for this one.

The period detail and music of LEGEND is excellent. Helgeland establishes time and place well and because he starts the story while Ronnie is locked up, we get time to meet Reggie Kray before seeing the dynamic of the two brothers.

Tom Hardy is excellent as both Ronnie and Reggie. He gives two distinct performances here. There is never a moment of confusion as to who is who. And the chemistry he has with himself is uncanny. This is no stunt, this is excellent screen acting and the main reason to see LEGEND.

Emily Browning is Frances, the woman that Reggie falls for. But neither the writing nor Browning's performance makes a compelling case for why Reggie falls so hard for her. He could have his pick of many women and it's not clear why he was so taken with her.

LEGEND has a strong supporting cast, many of whom have standout moments including Christopher Ecceleston, Taron Egerton, David Thewlis, Chazz Palminteri and Paul Bettany.

LEGEND is about the rise of the Krays in London's underworld with Reggie as the sensible businessman and Ronnie as the destructive psycho. Frances is caught in between and this alone should make for great dramatic tension. When Chazz Palmintieri's character, Angelo Bruno, enters the picture, representing Meyer Lansky, he wants a foothold in London and a partnership with the Krays, but he soon realizes that Ronnie is bad for business and wants Reggie to take care of it. Reggie refuses. And that's it. This should be the core of the picture. But there is not nearly enough tension about what to do about Ronnie or about Reggie's desire to have a family with Frances as he builds his criminal empire with the help of the Americans.

Sadly, in the second half of the picture, LEGEND wears out its welcome. It's hard to root for either Reggie or Ronnie. Both are violent gangsters and scenes of them beating people and doing violence eventually get old. The bottom line is that the screenplay is not nearly compelling enough.

LEGEND is very hit or miss, but if you are interested in the material, you will be rewarded by two remarkable performances by Tom Hardy, often in scenes opposite himself.