Cool "Hell"

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2001)

FROM HELL (2001) *** Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Holm, Jason Flemyng, Ian Richardson, Lesley Sharp, Susan Lynch, Terence Harvey, Katrin Cartlidge. (Dirs: Albert & Allen Hughes) Smartly executed adaptation of the graphic novel (in more ways than one) by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell about the most infamous turn-of-the-century murderer, Jack The Ripper, in London's Whitechapel district becoming the first serial killer with only Depp's fearlessly intelligent yet opium addicted constable on the case and in hot pursuit. Graham is one of a small clutch of ladies of the evening on Saucy Jack's menu to dispatch with gruesome elan and Coltane lends comic support as the Shakespeare quoting aide de campe. Atmospherically enriched by cinematographer's glimmeringly dank photography (check out the cool dreams' entries that Depp experiences of the murders occurring) and detailed Victorian era production design by the gifted Martin Childs filmed on location in Prague. The film's final act seems abrupt and wanting more than is given but why quibble when the body count culminates in a battle of wits in this Sherlock Holmes meets "Se7en" interpretation of the old chestnut of the notorious madman. The Hughes Brothers truly represent old-fashioned entertaining filmmaking of the top drawer variety in their unlikely junior effort.