Unlike many reviewers of this film I haven't got a great knowledge of the Krays. I thought the film was flawed and mis-titled. The fact that neither actor looks like the Krays didn't really matter ( neither did the Kemp brothers) it was more the story of Ronnie Kray, portrayed as a victim of severe mental illness, absurd delusions of grandeur , paranoia, sadistic tendencies etc. It showed the brothers as driven by uncontrolled anger, ambition, a force of evil but without any real plan .They gained predominance in the criminal underworld by their extra willingness to go that extra mile in violence and savagery, especially Ronnie whose total abandonment to dark forces made it inconceivable that that profits from their extortion rackets could ever be diverted into sustainable 'non-criminal' businesses, and grain them any veneer of respectability. The lack of plot in the film reflected well the lack of ability the Krays had to plan ahead or make any shrewd , intelligent decisions. Their forté was merciless violence and sadism which saved them from the need for any foresight. In its portrayal of Ronnie , the film captured the eye of the storm which was Ronnie Kray, a vacuum of humanity sucking in, and throwing out everything in its path. Simon Cotton's portrayal of a psychopath captured an unimaginable anger and hatred
mixed with a sense of observation and removal from his own actions and was an inspired performance.
The film was a depiction of a post war deprivation, poverty , social injustice and its consequences. The Krays were vicious predators but also victims themselves.
The film was a depiction of a post war deprivation, poverty , social injustice and its consequences. The Krays were vicious predators but also victims themselves.