I wanted to like it more (Minor spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (8 March 2002)

Jack the Ripper is one of the world's greatest mysteries. A serial killer, whose spate of gruesome murders within London during the autumn of 1888 lasted for ten weeks, and remains unsolved. 'From Hell' is yet another filmic inclusion based on this notorious and infamous killer. Johnny Depp plays Inspector Abberline, a drug-induced physic detective, who finds himself the head investigator in solving the bizarre and violent murders of prostitutes within the Whitechapel district of inner London. Assisted by his sergeant, Peter Godley (Robbie Coltrane), Abberline manages to examine the brutal crime scenes, and can even foresee the events during his opium-induced dream states. Together, they discover that the ritualistic killings are targeted at a certain group of prostitutes. This leads Abberline to Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), a nineteenth century prostitute who assists him in finding clues, while she and her friends remain a target of what the media now dub "Jack the Ripper". As more murders occur, Abberline finds himself desperate to solve these crimes, and soon suspects that the killer is someone from the London?s Upper class.
The Hughes Brothers attempt a different genre than their previous ghetto films, 'Menace II Society' and 'Dead Presidents'. They manage to capture the feel of a nineteenth century London, and create a visually interesting film in 'From Hell'. Based on the 600 page graphic novel by Alan Moore with same title, this film version contains the stylistic colours and haunting eeriness that embodies the era. The first half of 'From Hell' is excellent, with it?s relentless pacing and cleverly structured murder scenes. The film slows down significantly in the second half, as Abberline gathers information from respected surgeon Sir William Gull (Ian Holm) in relating the crimes to someone with medical knowledge. There is also an unconvincing romance between Abberline and Mary Kelly, as he discovers clues from her that create a complicated web of leads. It's so complex in fact, that this whodunit takes it's time- where you may have already figured out who the killer is long before Abberline's drug addled perceptions and meticulous examinations finish.
Johnny Depp manages to convey Inspector Abberline extremely well with a convincing Cockney accent. Heather Graham is miscast as Mary Kelly, especially when she is surrounded by her fellow prostitutes- played more convincingly by Lesley Sharp and Katrin Cartlidge. It seems the producers wanted a popular star in Graham rather than casting a more authentic actress. Robbie Coltrane, Ian Holm and Ian Richardson are all adequate in their roles respectively.
'From Hell' is a film that I wanted to like more, but unfortunately it doesn't become the essential Jack the Ripper film. It?s too intelligent to be simply a slasher film, yet too glamorised and glossy to become an authentic period piece. 'From Hell' is quite graphic and very gritty in parts, yet it lacks the suspense and involvement with the main characters. Although, many aspects of the story lead to complicated ground, the characters themselves are quite shallow and therefore uninteresting. I rarely felt fear for them, and by the climax I just wanted the film to finish. The Hughes brothers have created a part horror and part whodunit film in exploring the history surrounding Jack the Ripper, but it lacks emotion within its characters and gets sidetracked by a silly romance angle. Some interesting themes of class are explored, and an interesting theory behind the legend of Jack the Ripper, but 'From Hell' never quite becomes the essential suspense-horror piece or the riveting historical drama. I would recommend this film to die-hard slasher fans and those who enjoy watching the always-formidable Johnny Depp.
*** out of *****.