Disturbingly scary Ripper-movie, badly fact-based. Heather Graham did well.

Rating: Null/10 (22 September 2002)

This movie pulls off some disturbingly scaring scenes; it's been a long time since I've actually been genuinely scared by a movie, but this one did it.. using very little actual footage of "gore", but mainly ear-piercing sound, silhouettes and ghastly descriptions of the murders, it clearly gets the message through to us in a sickening way..
Johnny Depp is a good actor indeed, and makes an interesting character. I don't agree that Heather Graham is a bad actress here, but her role is a bit "off" to start with. She is supposed to be some sort of virginal, pure prostitute-character resembling a more known "Mary"-figure.. you know which one ;) Actually, it looks like she's even been given separate lighting and makeup-effects, making her stand out as white-skinned, angelic and pure. I agree this doesn't work that well here.
It's completely untrue, as many of the reviewers here claim, that Heather Graham can't play these sexualised roles, and that she gives off a "prudish" vibe. Check out her other roles.. It is, though, a bit cheesy to see these two american actors (Depp & Graham) have conversations in obvious fake british accents. :)
Anyway, The Plot, as you've probably heard, is down the conspiratory alley, which, from a Ripperologists POV, seems to be only averagely original. Actually, the movie fails at this point, trying to portray a quasi-occult, quasi-psychotic, quasi-conspiratory explanation for the killings. All in all, the good, old "cake & eat it too"-scenario. Shortly put, I was a bit disappointed about the plot-part of it.
The ending was also pretty shabby, and it seemed a bit "forced" away from the Hollywoodian happy ending(as happy as that can be in a movie like this).
After having checked out Ripper-dedicated for, it became pretty obvious how inaccurate this movie actually is, fact-wise. For instance, one thing I wondered about: There is no indication that the prostitutes in question knew each other (it's actually pretty unlikely), and this is a very important basis of "From Hell"'s plot. I almost think this film would've been better if it had gone out of the complex Ripper universe.
I recommend seeing this movie as a HORROR MOVIE, not as an actual attempt to reveal what might have happened - and you'll enjoy it greatly.. or maybe not.. mohahaha!! :)