Although it is a movie based on "Jack the Ripper", the plot is more focused on Abberline, a police detective. Johnny Depp is quite comfortable in performing this kind of Gothic movies. In the smoke of opium tincture ignited and diffused, Abberline shuttles through the world of premonition, reality and memory. Different from ordinary detective films, From Hell always has a sense of unreality that seems to be true and illusory in the investigation. Even "Jack" is presented on the screen in an exaggerated and slightly artistic way when he is killing several prostitutes. And "Jack"'s obsession with anatomy and religious madness, like a demon, sounded a series of death knells for this unreal London at the end of the 19th century.
There is a scene in the play where Abberline is immersed in a bathtub and drinking Absinthe. Johnny Depp takes a series of actions carefully and earnestly while tasting, and the expression on his face is relaxed. It seems that this alcohol can numb him to the loss of all his sadness. Interestingly, Abberline's opponent "Jack" also used Absinthe with bloody raw meat before a subsequent massacre. Both of them were anaesthetized with Absinthe's high alcohol content, more accurately it should be restrained, restraining their hearts.
Abberline just appeared on the scene and was woken up by police officer Godley in the opium hall. By the end of the play, Godley failed to wake him up in the smoke. As if bid farewell to the gloom of reality, Abberline can finally stay in a beautiful dream forever.
From Hell is not just about "Jack the Ripper" It creates a cold city like a dream. To escape from this unreality is to fall into a deeper unreality and use alcohol, opium tincture, or slaughter to get pleasure.
So, at the end, do you want a cup of Absinthe dear?
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