The Krays are two of the most important, and most famous, crime figures of all time; so I guess it's only right that they should have a movie made about them. This film is almost like the UK's answer to Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" as, like the aforementioned movie, it portrays crime in a glamorous light and makes heroes out of it's criminal stars. The Krays distances itself from biopics of other crime figures by the way that it follows the protagonists from when they were children. This allows the film to get inside of the Kray twins, rather than just focusing on their crimes and that gives the film more of a point, and makes it more than just another crime flick as we're given reasons to care for the characters, rather than simply being treated to their crimes. The story follows the brothers as they make their way up London's crime circuit by way of beating people up for the highest bidder. We also follow them in their personal lives, and we see their relationship with their mother and various other people.
One of the most striking things about this film is the fact that the twin brothers of the title are played by actual twin brothers Martin and Gary Kemp. These two, more famous for singing in the pop group Spandau Ballet than acting actually manage to deliver quite good performances as the brothers Kray. They look very menacing when seen together and Gary especially manages to look distinctly evil, which fits his character brilliantly. The way that the film shies away from the crimes at times and concentrates more on the brothers themselves is good as it allows us to get into their characters more. It does get a little bit silly at times, though, especially when the two act in unison. Martin and Gary Kemp look the part, but neither one is a great actor, so when it comes down to scenes that actually need some acting ability; the film falls down a bit. Another thing that the film falls down on is the way that it soaks everything in melodrama. This works in the big budget American crime flicks as they have the benefit of a melodramatic setting; but when the film is set in 60's London, we don't really get the same effect. Still, The Krays is an interesting and effective film and crime fans will no doubt enjoy it.
One of the most striking things about this film is the fact that the twin brothers of the title are played by actual twin brothers Martin and Gary Kemp. These two, more famous for singing in the pop group Spandau Ballet than acting actually manage to deliver quite good performances as the brothers Kray. They look very menacing when seen together and Gary especially manages to look distinctly evil, which fits his character brilliantly. The way that the film shies away from the crimes at times and concentrates more on the brothers themselves is good as it allows us to get into their characters more. It does get a little bit silly at times, though, especially when the two act in unison. Martin and Gary Kemp look the part, but neither one is a great actor, so when it comes down to scenes that actually need some acting ability; the film falls down a bit. Another thing that the film falls down on is the way that it soaks everything in melodrama. This works in the big budget American crime flicks as they have the benefit of a melodramatic setting; but when the film is set in 60's London, we don't really get the same effect. Still, The Krays is an interesting and effective film and crime fans will no doubt enjoy it.