The acting is superlative to a man. Sam Claflin as the company’s leader, Captain Stanhope, shows the signs of what is now known as PTSD. He has witnessed too much horror and experienced too much loss to continue as a well functioning human being.

Then there is Asa Butterfield as the fresh faced Second Lieutenant Raleigh, he just out of boot camp and yet to experience the horrors of war. His story arch is an especially tragic one. Paul Bettany as Lieutenant Osborne is also excellent.

It’s the fine details that make the experience of the film so impactful. The artillery shells used as candle holders, the large collection of dead rats nailed to a board or even the actor’s faces illuminated only by flickering candle light. It is easy to feel involved in their dreadful plight. The memory of this film burns its way into your mind and its ultimate tragedy will break your heart.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/IconFilmDistribution.Au

Solo of course refers to Han Solo, he of roughish charm and one liners. In early chapters, Harrison Ford made the role his own and now Alden Ehrenreich (Hail, Caesar! & Beautiful Creatures) gets the chance to put his own stamp on the role. Unfortunately his character is the least developed in the film and the roughish charm inherent in Ford’s take is mostly missing. When Ehrenreich as Solo claims he is an outlaw, it’s a stretch to believe as per the actions that have come before.

That being said, the film, like some in the cannon, places action over character development and in this department, Solo has no trouble entertaining the troops. The film uses a surprisingly under lit first reel and dark tone before expanding the palette in both colour, light and story.

Taken as a chapter in an ever expanding book, Solo fills in a few gaps and through a few key surprises sets up some interesting story telling opportunities. It’s a solid work from a very consistent director, Ron Howard, it does make one wonder though if the supposed irreverence of the early directors take on the film would have produced something a little more transcendent.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/StarWarsAUNZ

No twin brothers could be more different than Reggie and Ronald Kray and Hardy plays them both so effectively with only small make up tricks and big acting chops. Browning plays Frances Shea a girl from around the neighbourhood who falls in love with and eventually marries brother Reggie.

The story told through her eyes gives the proceedings a more human tone and gives the tale a feel of authenticity that is tinged with great sadness. This approach helps raise the film above being a mere gangster yarn. It’s also great to see so many recognizable British character actors in one place.

As successful films based on real people often do, Legend creates a genuine interest in these real-life characters that can be easily feed. Both Wikipedia and John Pearson’s engaging book on which the movie is based (The Profession Of Violence) are great places to start.

Rob Hudson
www.legend-the-movie.com