FROM HELL Stars: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm Rated: R Score: 7/10
Is it me or is Johnny Depp a good actor? Sure he's a pretty boy but anyone knows that his choices for characters in many years past have been offbeat and complex. Even if the movies stink, his performance is always worth the watch. And such is the case in "From Hell". A movie that might have been produced from Hell, for as the plot unravels, so does one's stomach.
Lots of theories on who Jack the Ripper really was. This movie dares to not only suggest the common thought that he might be an american doctor, but also goes to name him. Not only that but there are royally shocking accusations.
Late 19th Century, there's some murders of prostitutes going on. Depp plays an Inspector put on the case to find out who the killer is. Of course the fact he's an drug addict might be somewhat of a distraction for him. Just a tad. ;-)
Heather Graham plays a comely young Prostitute, who has caught the eye of the Inspector, not to mention it's her friends that are getting killed. The inspector in his drug induced states, (oh yes they come in handy!) has visions that help out his case. He can see the murder victions and pieces of the scene which aid his investigation. So boys and girls, drugs make you psychic? Ah well. The scenes are lavishly authentic in feel, you can almost smell the filth on the street. Costumes aren't overdone and it has a gritty feel.
But if you have a weak stomach you may want to avoid this film, it doesn't spare any expense in gradually becoming more graphic with each murder. Tho we have to keep in mind the murders themself in how they were done weren't any less gruesome. Jack the Ripper has always been one of the most notorious serial killers mainly because he was never caught, nor were his reasons for killing and then suddenly stopping ever known. This movie only ponders on one rumor. But the truth is out there - somewhere.
Yet - the film does produce an accusation, one which (not being a historial or anything) may or may not hold water. But it was definately very intriguing! Not simply by what of the reasoning but also the madness behind it. It was a fairly good film, but I was dissapointed from how I thought it would be. I don't think this was one of Depp's most notable performances. Holm was fun to watch, yet there were demensions to his character I wasn't quite settled with. The who-done it aspect of the film isn't as sensational as the...why-done it. Scary tho? Nah. Somehow you kind of go in expecting it to be because hey..it's jack the ripper!
Unfortuantely the film has no lasting appeal. It will soon be forgotten on video store shelves in no time.
