From Hell

With its vivid recreation of the crime-plagued gutters of 19th century London, Allen and Albert Hughes' (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents) highly fictionalized Jack the Ripper thriller is nothing if not atmospheric. Opulently dingy, filled with pinched-cheek and cheap-corset wearing prostitutes, and featuring an unorthodox Scotland Yard inspector (Johnny Depp) addicted to opium and absinthe, From Hell draws viewers into the methodical uncovering of clues to the Ripper's ritualized killings. But smudged with Hollywood's gimmicky fingerprints, the film is burdened by an improbable romantic subplot (Heather Graham is a hooker on Jack's hit list) and by a confusingly convoluted investigation. Sporting a psychological edge sharper than most serial killer movies, the film's characters nevertheless fail to leave much of a lasting impression and the speculative Sherlock Holmesian conclusion that "solves" the Ripper mystery asks viewers to swallow a majestic conspiracy of credibility-stretching proportions. Optional. (R. Blackwelder)