I can't say I don't have time but I am sooooo disorganised!
I can't say I don't have time but I am sooooo disorganised!
Member since:08.12.2005
Reviews:99
Members who trust:51
The Story
Set in the late 19th Century in London this film is based on the well-known story of Jack the Ripper. Prostitutes are terrorised by, besides pimps and gangsters, an unknown killer, who employs violent, sadistic methods to destroy his victims. A particular group of friends that are targeted are struggling to survive as they are attacked, one by one, the attacks becoming increasingly brutal & gruesome. Heather Graham plays Mary Kelly, who, during the investigation of the murders, becomes romantically involved with the Inspector Abberline (Johnny Depp), placing a more emotive aspect on his work & increasing his determination to find the killer before he strikes again. Depp sets out to investigate the mysterious murders, but with very little support from a society that treats prostitutes as having no value anyway, it is extremely hard to find answers. He finds himself taking drugs
& relying more on psychic-style methods to find out what has been happening to the women & who is responsible.
We, the viewers, however, grow to sympathise with the women as we see them for the human beings they are, simply trying to cope in a troublesome world. Often as they are being slain, there is an element of irony in that there are people nearby, either ignorant of what is happening, because the women cannot scream, or unwilling to help. This adds to the frustration that somehow these women are treated as subordinate outcasts to society & suddenly this is a matter of life & death.
The Acting
I can’t think of a single scene or actor/actress that disappointed me. The point is that this film is based on suspense & passion, both of which featured well throughout. Mostly this was effective for me because I had no idea what was coming next or the full story of Jack the Ripper. Johnny Depp was an excellent detective, clearly torn by the dilemmas facing him & fully concerned by the need to find answers. Each time there is an incident, you feel his sense of failure & despair.
The actresses playing the prostitutes are very realistic in the way they respond to the attacks, doubtful that it would really happen to them & naïve as to their safety. They carry on as ‘normal’, sharing their problems & having their own arguments & issues. A new French girl is introduced, who brings with her some sort-of lesbian scenes that may have been an easy way to get her in the picture & staying with the girls, I’m not sure, but it was a strange angle to the film. What you think of that you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Film Qualities
Prague seems to have done well as a setting for a Victorian time London, because I was convinced. The detail of props & costume design was good, although I am doubtful that prostitutes at that time wore the kind of dresses shown, their condition being a bit too good, but then I am no expert. Often the film is very gloomy, which for me is always disappointing, because whilst it does create a more eerie, sinister effect, it is often very hard to see properly what is happening & for me this acts as a distraction. There is a horror effect in not seeing what happens, as it leaves much to the imagination & this is often said to be more frightening. For the most part, any gore is based on description, but more is shown as the film progresses & towards the end there are scenes that those who do not like blood are best advised to look away!
Overall
Personally I didn’t find this film scary as such, but more of a thriller with a historic edge. The story itself will always make such a film attractive because it conjures up fascinating images of what Jack the Ripper might have been like & offers to give us an insight. I have to admit I was particularly keen because it had Johnny Depp in & well, you ladies know what I mean! All in all it was a good, interesting & dramatic film, although I’m in no hurry to watch it again, because I feel once you know what happens it kills the suspense leaving not much to enjoy. Its worth renting, but I probably would not recommend going out to buy it (hence the ‘no’ below).
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Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
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Jun 6th, 2007
(Jun 7th, 2007)
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