Johnny Depp as excellent as ever

Rating: 8/10 (9 April 2005)

A fresh retelling of the Jack the Ripper legend was probably due, and this Hughes Brothers piece is just the job. It remains faithful to the story whilst throwing in one or two potentially controversial aspects that will leave audiences horrified, but also with a number of talking points.
***Spoilers*** The potential link of Jack the Ripper to the royal family has been rumoured for decades but has never been proved. Although this film might have benefited from remaining slightly more ambiguous, nevertheless it is a fascinating tale, though viewers of a nervous disposition are advised that blood abounds.
Johnny Depp, as ever, gives a solid performance whilst always injecting human interest into the role. Heather Graham's performance is good but not spectacular, and her Irish accent is a little shaky. Robbie Coltrane is his usual bustling, robust self, and even in the most serious of roles he can be looked to to provide some comedic relief, and he can always convey his relishing of the role. Ian Holm brings the required gravitas to the performance.
A superb and fascinating but rather grisly tale, this is not the average mindless Saturday night entertainment, but an excellent murder mystery, and a much needed de-mystifying of the tale.