This film is of interest to pop culture retailers because of the From Hell graphic novel. This mammoth tome is one of the unique graphic works of the 1990s, if not the entire 20th century with its combination of voluminous research, social commentary, and true crime 'extrapolation.' It is a book that deserves a much larger audience than it has received -- and this film might provide the impetus to some of that well-deserved attention. Just two weeks ago The New Yorker cited From Hell in reviewing two new books about the Ripper -- leaving little doubt that From Hell was the best of the three.
For comic fans the focus will be on how close is the movie adaptation to the source. Obviously one feature film cannot encompass the wealth of material that is included in From Hell, but the very act of creating a cinematic narrative out of the book could involve some essential distortion. Just as in the movie adaptation of Daniel Clowes Ghost World (see 'Ghost World Film Bows in June') a relatively minor character is elevated in importance to streamline the narrative, so Johnny Depp's opium-addicted Detective Frederick Abberline may well get more attention on screen than he did in the pages of Moore and Campbell's graphic novel.
If From Hell does well, it will provide retailers with another opportunity to introduce comics to a new audience. Chances are that the original Freddie Kreuger can move a few more movie tickets -- and the best part for retailers is that one of the finest works about Jack the Ripper in any medium is From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. Recommend it to your customers.
