Shoddy direction

Rating: 4/10 (13 November 2001)

This was not a well crafted film. I kept thinking I was watching some made for TV movie of the week. It was supposed to be a mystery, but you would have to be a total dunce to not figure out who the Ripper was. I will give you a hint, it is the obvious choice that the filmmakers attempt to shy you away from. Then there was Heather Graham, the great actress from Austin Powers (do you sense some sarcasm?) Heather Graham's accent kept reminding me of the Gilligan's Island episode where Mary Ann played the cockneyed flower girl. You know the one, where Gilligan was Mr. Hyde? Come to think of it, that episode was scarier than this film. Depp was pretty good, he usually is. However, the story was just not very convincing and full of holes. There were many gadgets and tricks that you have seen a hundred times before and the climax was so predictable. If you don't have an interest in Jack the Ripper, you are not likely to gain one after watching this film. These two brothers made a name for themselves directing gangsta films and I think that is where there strength lies, if they have a strength. Leave the historical based films to better story tellers. This was ABC & MTV "go to the movies" and the result is a film that will leave you wandering what is on TBS later that night. Perhaps I am being too harsh, but as student of the Jack the Ripper case, I felt letdown.