Dodgy Accents and Plot Holes

Rating: 7/10 (8 February 2002)

My expectations were high for this and early word suggested better. The fake `Cockney' accents were so distracting it became difficult to involve yourself with, or care about the central characters. I was unpleasantly reminded of the `Dick Van Dyke' Mary Poppins school of acting where all Londoners seem to come from Australia via Peckham via Texas. However special mention should go to Ian Holm who was absolute genius (as usual) and also to Robbie Coltraine who skillfully managed to make one of the few interesting characters out of a fairly un-pivotal part. But aside from these two, overall the film was a bit dull with plot holes and un-settled questions everywhere and it was also the very first time I have not been totally convinced by Johnny Depp in a film. The whole film felt like it was about to step into a higher gear but regretfully never found it, even towards the end. There have already been more intriguing `conspiracy' Ripper films and TV adaptions, so to see these very gifted film makers turn in something so empty was a bitter disappointment.