10 Great Film Ideas Utterly Wasted On Terrible Actors

3. From Hell - Heather Graham

from_hell11 Everyone loves a fresh interpretation of serial killer Jack the Ripper, who went on one of the world's most famous unsolved murder sprees. It's not Johnny Depp's best work, but the premise is sound and for the most part the idea has real potential. He plays the drug-addicted inspector gamely enough, and Ian Holm turns in a panto performance that oddly works with the sinister Victorian atmosphere. The film falls apart, however, with Heather Graham's performance as a Whitechapel prostitute in danger of becoming Jack's next victim. This involves a misguided attempt at a Cockney (or possibly Irish) accent and acting skills that are not up to the level one would expect from an actress starring in a high-profile Hollywood film. She's not even convincing as a redhead.
Contributor
Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.