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Offers up a wickedly good tale.
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
Jan 30, 2007
10
of
13 people found this review helpful
Memorable quote: "Someday, men will say that I gave birth to the 20th century." - Jack the Ripper
In 1888 London, in the notoriously seedy Whitechapel district, a man committed five ritualistic, grisly murders in ten weeks - a man who called himself Jack the Ripper. His reign of terror ended abruptly, and he was never caught. If none of this sounds familiar, get your butt back to history class now! What were you, puffing cigarettes and souping up cars while you were supposed to be in class?
*Begin rant*
Which brings me to a little pet peeve of mine. People who blame the schools just because they came out of them not knowing where the United States is on a map, much less who Jack the Ripper is. Ask them to name the President of the United States and they look at you like you're crazy, but ask them to name their highest score in Doom, and it's no problem! News flash: it is not the school's fault that you didn't bother to show up or crack a book. No one locked you out of the classroom or shot pepper spray in your eyes and filled your ears with molten gold. So quit your crying and get your butts back to class. You just might learn something that might help you later on. And no, the U.S. is not where Europe is...
*End rant*
Anyway, part horror film and part mystery, From Hell offers not only a stylish treatment of this subject, but also offers a very clever solution. (And no, I won't give it away. Nice try.)
The film covers the investigation to catch the killer, with Johnny Depp playing Inspector Abberline, a sort of Sherlock Holmes all hopped up on absinthe and opium (these drugs apparently give him premonitions of murders). I'm sure this practice is soon to be used by police officers everywhere. The investigation leads him to a group of prostitutes, including one Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), and the strange connection they all share.
Overall, the film keeps up a crisp pace and always keeps you guessing. A few weaknesses: some of the prostitutes, especially Graham, looked like they spent a lot of quality time with Dove bodywash and Pert Plus. Then there is the matter of a fairly cheesy romance between Graham and Depp. Thankfully, it's mercifully short, and you have just enough time to choke back the gorge rising in your throat.
But any weak spots in the film can be easily overlooked thanks to the high caliber of acting. Johnny Depp again gives a terrific performance, all the while pulling off a flawless Cockney accent! Way to go! Ian Hart is excellent as Abberline's medical expert Dr. Gull, and Robbie Coltrane is absolutely marvelous as Abberline's Watson-like sidekick. Give this guy his own movie! Heather Graham also does a decent job. She won't win any awards, but she doesn't entirely embarrass herself either (and sorry guys, but she doesn't take her clothes off).
I was particularly impressed by the look of the film. Enhanced by careful lighting and terrific cinematography, the atmosphere of the film is so vivid you can practically smell the filth, the fear and the blood. Oh yes - a word about the blood. Now, while this film is more mind thriller than slasher, I must warn you that there is certainly enough blood to send the squeamish filmgoer running for the door. This is, after all, a film about Jack the Ripper, not Jack and Jill. So suck it up before renting it. Overall, From Hell offers up a wickedly good tale - if you have the stomach for it. Now get back to class.
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