We all like a bit of speculation, don’t we ladeez and gennlemen? The story behind Jack The Ripper has been argued about and studied more than the ending of A.I. Well, only just. Aleister Crowley suggested that Jack was a black magician, and he was also believed to have been either a gentleman cricketer, a homicidal midwife, Sherlock Holmes, and even the glove puppet Sooty (explanations? Read “The Complete History Of Jack The Ripper” by Philip Sugden. Robinson Publishing, 1994). One theory was delved into by the comic book creator Alan Moore, with powerful black & white art by Eddie Campbell. Their graphic novel – From Hell – is now (cue gravel voiced voiceover guy) A MAJOR HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE STARRING JOHNNY DEPP AND HEATHER GRAHAM. Oh – you want to know what theory? Read on.

Now, I’ve not read the graphic novel (yet), so comparisons between the two would be like me trying to compare visiting Southend with touring Las Vegas. I’ve only been to one of them, and it sure as heck didn’t involve a long flight. From what I’ve heard, this compresses some of the book (it would have to, Moore does like his exposition), and gives a more “Hollywood” slant to the proceedings. I presume this means the ending is altered, but again – Southend/Vegas.

Meet Detective Abberline. Played by Johnny Depp with a passable cock-er-nee accent, we first meet him in an opium den, a place he decides to sojourn to in order to induce his “intuition” – grisly psychic visions of bloodied female organs, cackling faces and spurting viscera. Aided by Sergeant Godley (Robbie Coltrane, with a thankful lack of cock-er-nee accent), he’s assigned to the Ripper case when two of Annie’s friends are murdered in swift succession.

Acting wise, Johnny Depp obviously paid attention when he guested on the Fast Show. His accent slips at times, but his acting doesn’t This is a far superior effort than his skittish persona in Sleepy Hollow, and has a much better action sequence involving a horse-drawn carriage. More than adequate support comes from the aforementioned Mr Coltrane, and Ian Holm, Paul Rhys and Jason Flemyng all make fine additions to the mainly British cast.

Where the movie does shine, is with the direction, and the layers ready to be peeled away like a delicious parfait (sorry, Shrek residue). A few tricks are employed to make this a classy affair, with some great use of shadow, and a welcome lack of glamour when it comes to the murders. Most of them are carried out in darkness, behind the Ripper’s cloak, or off screen, with the exception of one incredibly gory throat-slashing, which will definitely raise chunks in the back of the throat for delicate movie-goers. As for those layers, there’s many a subtext – the exploitation of the poor, voyeurism, religious fervour, Masonic ritual and high-level conspiracy. Meaty subjects at the best of times, it’s just unfortunate that they become more evident on reflection. Or maybe that’s a good thing… decisions decisions!

On the downside, the movie’s length (only about 2 hours) does tend to grate towards the end, probably due to some rather sedentary pacing and lack of editing. The twists are all too predictable, as evidenced by the chap behind me, who’d been explaining the plot to his girlfriend all the way through anyway. Furthermore, plot strands come and go as they please, with no real explanation given for points which become key later – the placement of coins next to the murdered women is glossed over, as is the fate of the Prince’s baby. Easily solved by reading the source material. Maybe, but I’m lazy, dammit! I want to know NOW! Furthermore, the way the movie tries to wrong-foot you as to the Ripper’s identity is plain laughable. A man scowling does not a murderer make. Someone has wobbly hands… well they wouldn’t happen to be faking it would they? OR WOULD THEY? Look, that man was nasty to someone, maybe he did it. Oh stop it... they may as well have put a big sign next to the suspects saying “LOOK I MIGHT BE THE MURDERER BUT MAYBE NOT! WOOOH!”

Abberline – Johnny Depp
Mary Kelly – Heather Graham
Sir William Gull – Ian Holm
Netley – Jason Flemyng
Godley – Robbie Coltrane
Kate Eddowes – Lesley Sharp
Liz Stride – Susan Lynch
Ben Kidney – Terence Harvey
Annie Chapman – Katrin Cartlidge
Ada – Estelle Skornik
Dr. Ferral – Paul Rhys