From Hell: Review of Newest Serial Killer Film

The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore. The graphic novel genre suspends realism and conspiracies and corruption are common, so the the focus on the royal conspriracy theory may have worked better in that medium. However, directors Allen and Albert Hughes (Dead Presidents, Menace II Society)present it as a somewhat serious account of the Jack the Ripper murders, which does not seem quite believable. Considering the material and the particular theory that is the focus of the movie, the directors may have benefitted from making the film more campy and trying to capture more of a comic book feel.

From Hell's other major flaw is that it lacks character development. The movie briefly hints at the reason behind Abbeline's opium-addiction and morose nature, but does not fully explore it. The romance between Abbeline and Mary Kelly seems to have little basis and that storyline does not really go anywhere. The talents of British actresses Katrin Cartlidge and Lesley Sharp are not used to their full advantage. Their characters are merely there to support Mary Kelly and serve as other victims for the killer. The audience does not get a full sense of who those prostitutes really are. Most disappointingly, the factors behind the increasing brutality of Jack the Ripper's murders is left relatively unexamined. A film about the Jack the Ripper would be far more effective if it fully explored the killer's motivations.

In conclusion, From Hell is mostly style and little substance. While the premise is interesting, the conclusions the movie draws about Jack the Ripper are inadequate and the audience is not given enough reason to empathize with many of the characters.

**If you are interested in exploring the subject of Jack the Ripper further, please check out the following website: http://va.crimelibrary.com/jack/jackmain...

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