Friday, February 27, 2004
FROM HELL(2001)
Today's movie; part of our DeppFest! This is one intense piece of work. Our man is great in it. The film is by the Hughes Brothers (twins) who, up to this time, produced and directed 'black' films. This is a genre-bend for sure. London 1899; Jack the Ripper; new theory of who and how. It is based on the graphic novel (comic) by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. Moore also wrote LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN which just came out as a Sean Connery project; didn't do very well. FROM HELL made its nut and is big on the rental circuit but the Hughes have not made another film.
We liked this movie a lot. It is scary and very gruesome. This role is made for Depp. He is the police inspector who adds opium hallucination to his bag of detecting tricks. The whole production is very skillfully done with loads of effects that surprise and please at the same time the basic violence repels. It helps keep us in it.
Ian Holme, last seen as Grampa Hobbit is a major player here and not at all hobbity. Heather Graham is OK as the love interest. Robby Coltrane also provides comic relief as Depp's sidekick. The whole thing keeps a balance and stays mid-road between slasher pic and boring conspiracy flick.
