In today’s instalment I will have a look back to a little historical piece. And by historical I mean loosely based on the Jack the Ripper murders and EXTREAMLY loosely based on the Alan Moore graphic novel.
FROM HELL stars Johnny Depp and Heather Graham and as much as it pains me to say, as a die hard Depp fan, fails to deliver in almost all respects.
It is not however without its merits, as it does deliver in the cinematic area in spades. The visuals of the film are exceptionally striking, featuring blood red skies and moments of genuine flare. For example, one of the quicker Ripper murders sticks out for its use of darkness. The hapless victims is subdued, the camera tilts up and the screen is overcome by darkness, the only image is the bright glint of the knife as its slashed the screen, and the ‘bangtail’ prostitute, repeatedly cleaving the frame as it becomes ever more drenched in blood.
Otherwise… I not exactly sure what the hell went on with the film, I mean the plot itself is relatively simple, a series of murders to cover up a royal blunder, but it’s the choices made to bring it to life that leave you scratching your head. No matter how much I think Johnny Depp may be one of the greatest actors around at the moment, (and he is by the way) who on earth thought his English accent was good enough to be put on screen for nearly two hours? His accent is only eclipsed by Heather Graham’s own pitiful attempt. And apart from the visuals the move simply comes of as bland, especially if you are a seasoned horror or slasher movie fan. If you have grown up on the gore porn that seems to pass for horror films these days you may actually nod off.
Set and costumes are all pretty great to be fair to the film, however those that inhabit the world this is set in are all pretty forgettable the moment they are off screen.
The only other point of interest in this film would be Robbie Coltrane, playing Depp’s characters right hand man. He brings a wonderful amount of originality to the otherwise rather dull and cookie cutter characters portrayed in the film. Its not everyday after all you have a policeman quoting literature so obscurely amidst a grisly murder investigation.
All in all a rather poor outing in the CBM genre, but what shocks me more is the fact I used to like this film and actually own it. What on earth possessed me to do such a horrific thing? We’ll put it down to Jack the ripper massacring my DVD collection shall we?