Review of From Hell (2001) by Sarah E — 30 May 2011

Fans of Alan Moore's brilliant graphic novel will likely be disappointed with this unfaithful adaptation; while most of the basic elements remain, it's a far cry from the source material. That doesn't mean that From Hell isn't a great film though. It's dark, it's grotesque, it's brutal and beautiful. The Hughes Brothers and their cinematographer created a moody thriller that might just be the best Jack the Ripper film out there today.

I love Johnny Depp's performance in this movie. It's quiet and restrained, wounded but determined. He is Inspector Abberline, assigned to investigate a series of murders in London's White Chapel district. Borrowing from Moore's novel, wherein a fake psychic provided clues to the investigators, Abberline is, in this version, a clarivoyant, and his psychic visions provide additional eeriness to an already creepy film. The plot that Abberline uncovers is compelling and persuasive enough as an accusation of guilt for its Jack the Ripper, though it would be wise to remember all the liberties the tale takes with history. Either way, From Hell is absolutely not to be missed.