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 From
Hell
Starring:
Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Paul Rhys, Katrin Cartlidge,
and Joanna Page
Directed by: Albert Hughes & Allen Hughes
Rated: R
No
expense was spared in recreating Jack The Ripper's London circa
1888. The details were perfect like Coppola's Dracula a
few years back, you got that warm fuzzy feeling of thankfulness
you were born in this day and age. What a cesspool. Yechy poo-poo.
Though the producers seemed to have asked Johnny Depp to take
his garment ensemble from Sleepy Hollow
out of storage as I swear it was the same friggin' frock...But
From
Hell is probably the most honest, and bluntly accusing, Jack
The Ripper tale since Jack The Ripper (1988 Michael Caine
version). It comes right out and says who dunnit and why. Since
most every person in the audience knows the story the suspense
and scare factor was at a lower level than say the first time
we met Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill, but it's a scrumtiously
good film anyway!
From Hell is based on the letters
the inspectors on the Ripper case and the paper's received, one
which had a madman's p.s.simply scribed...from hell. If
there is one, Jack's a bonafide voter's registration card holding
citizen to be sure!
Inspector
Abberline (Johnny -- he'll always be Edward to me -- Depp)
is an opium addict that has "visions" of the macabre.
It's a nice twist to the oh-so-told-tale. He's "chasing the
dragon" when his fellow inspector retrieves him for the Whitechapel
murder of a streetwalker. At first they think the Nichol's Street
gang is simply enforcing their territory -- you know the pimps
old-tried and true policy of slicing one up one real good and
the rest will behave themselves.
There's
a circle of girls involved and none are too anxious to talk to
the coppers. Why should they really? Down in this seedy little
hamlet talking is the fastest way to meet your maker.
The
"unfortunates" are kind of lead by Mary Kelly (Heather
Graham done in redhead), a feisty Irish girl that besides making
her living letting the local hog washed fellows get a go, has
a heart of gold. Inspector Abberline knows she knows, and she
knows he knows she knows...They start to meet in secret and discuss
the case.
The
force is acting as if Abberline has an Othello complex...suspicious
of all; especially his royal heir, Edward Albert. "Albert"
likes the sweet and tangy tarts of the Whitechapel district in
particular, heck he's even bred with one...
As
the murders continue it's obvious no layman is performing these
dissections on the girls. The Ripper has a surgeon's precision
eye, steady hand and a expert knowledge of the human anatomy.
Abberline goes over the head of his superiors and starts his own
little side investigation. He's about to find out precisely who
The Ripper is when...
I
wouldn't do that to you dear reader. From Hell is a great
Ripper story. It's dark and filled with just enough gore for the
festive Halloween season around the corner.
Depp's
good at whatever role he takes on and he's scrumptious in these
period pieces that force him to dress in frilly Adam Ant garb.
Depp's a man with actor's depth. He's becoming a Sheppard's Pie
of a chap, each role we get more delicious than his last. Layers
of talent and manly beauty...I must wipe my brow excuse me...His
natural lanky, sullen, features went well with the Inspector Abberline's
opium cravings.
Heather
Graham is just as beautiful as a fiery redhead as in blonde
highlights. Her Mary Kelly role is not so much the center of attention,
but she lights up the screen when she appears just the same. Girls
use her as bait to get your fella to see From Hell so you
can drink in Johnny-- just a tip.
Veteran
Indie actress Katrin Cartlidge plays one of Jack's girls. It was
nice to see her again, though not the center of attentions the
performance was exact.
Sure,
it's the same old rip and tear scarefest, but with Johnny Depp
at the head of the ride what have you got to lose? It's October
and open season on goosebumps so get to every scary movie Hollywood
can muster up and alleviate some of the everyday stresses we are
all facing. Enjoy!
Snack Recommedation:
Anything but bloody grapes!
Read
about Jack The Ripper's case online
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