From Hell (2001)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham
Director: The Hughes Bros.

Rating: R

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Review Posted: 10.23.01

Spoilers: Minor

Rating: 3.5/4

By Dan Peters.

"One day men will look back and say that I gave birth to the 20th century." — Jack the Ripper

Jack the Ripper is the most famous serial killer of all time. He killed a total of five people (all prostitutes) at London's East End from August 'til November of 1888. All the killings happened at night, and they were all very brutal. All five victim's throats were slashed, and their bodies were mutilated. Jack the Ripper's identity is still unknown today, and the investigation STILL continues.

From Hell is based on Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's graphic novel of the same name. Directors Albert and Allen Hughes (Menace II Society) have taken the Jack the Ripper legend, and turned it into a completely fictional story, with very good results.

Johnny Depp plays opium-addicted (he uses the opium to have psychic visions) Inspector Abberline, who hunts down clues to unveil the Ripper's identity. Also, he falls in love with Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), a prostitute who could be next on the Ripper's "to kill" list.

From Hell is a visually absorbing film. Right from the first scene, this movie really absorbs you into the intense atmosphere. Trevor Jones is the composer of the music in this film, and his very suspenseful score helps escalate the suspense in this film. Anything could be lurking in the darkness of the shadows... it could be a harmless beggar, a cat, or the Ripper waiting to cut you open.

There's only one flaw in this film: we never get to feel anything for the characters. The performances are all excellent (especially Depp's), but the script doesn't allow us to sympathize with any of them. But this is only a minor flaw, and it doesn't take away any of the entertainment this film has in store for you.

From Hell is a visually absorbing and suspenseful movie, and it's just in time for Halloween. It offers the chills that films this year have been sorely lacking.

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