Stylishly Filmed But Sordidly Told

Rating: 5/10 (28 March 2007)

This is stylishly presented, and I always find stories of the famous "Jack The Ripper" to be fascinating, but this is not necessarily a likable film. Perhaps I excepted more, but this was a bit too sordid in spots. I gave it a second look I year later, after buying the DVD, and found it so sleazy I wound up trading the disc. This movie never succeeded at the box office, and I can see why: bad vibes and poorly told, despite the fine cinematography.
Most films starring Johnny Depp are entertaining, and this is no exception. I never got bored with the story but, in addition to the sordid tone to it, I question the storyteller's bias against Masons (no, I am not one nor have any interest in them) and thought there was a bit of anti-Christian prejudice, too. I couldn't understand a lot of the accents, either, which lessens the enjoyment of watching it.