From Hell

Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Iam Holm
Directed by: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes
Rating: R
Genre: Thriller, Crime
2001

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: This story of the Jack the Ripper murders involves an investigator (Johnny Depp) trying to catch Jack before he murders a group of prostitutes (among others, Heather Graham). As the investigation progress, a Royal conspiracy begins to surface.

Review:
Tim: The Jack the Ripper murders are one of the most interesting (and disturbing) investigations into a serial killer in history. The murders are cloaked in such legend that it's difficult to tell fact from fiction. This film follows the popular myth that Jack the Ripper was part of a Royal conspiracy. I'm no expert on the Ripper murders, but I am well aware that the royal-conspiracy belief is one that few serious researchers believe in. The movie itself pays homage more to fiction than fact, but hey- it is a movie, right?

From Hell is gruesome, but no where near as horrifying as it could have been. The Hughes brothers cleverly suggest some of the more disgusting aspects, without actually making their viewers witness it (which would probably send most people to the bathroom to vomit). The film has decent performances by both Depp and Graham, but neither really shine here. They have limited chemistry together, but nothing to really complain about. Iam Holm gives an impressively dark performance.

This film will keep you pretty well disgusted and entertained, but doesn't really scare you- and a film about Jack the Ripper should do just that. While it does fail on some levels, on others, it's a good suspense/thriller. If you're not very well versed on the Ripper murders, this film will at least spark your interest (or your disgust).

The film begins with a "quote" from Jack the Ripper, which is chilling- "One day, men will look back and say I gave birth to the twentieth century." Whether Jack the Ripper really said this or not (more than likely not), it sets up the movie to be quite a chilling ride. The film for the most part follows through on this.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Sleepy Hollow, The Others, Edward Scissorhands, What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, The Ninth Gate, Dead Man