A Divisive Affair

The first release of the revived Hammer Studios under the supervision of the John Gore Organisation, Doctor Jekyll is a film that was acquired for distribution rather than produced in-house. Despite this, it absolutely fits the vibe of the old school Hammer films that resided in the middle to lower tiers of public opinion. That is to say, it is appropriately gothic, somewhat simple (though at times unnecessarily convoluted), strongly cast, and constantly juggling its positives with its negatives. Indeed, like most of those movies, it provides an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half if not much else. The real downside is that, while the Hammer films of old didn't feel like much of a loss when they weren't all out winners, Doctor Jekyll definitely feels like it could of been quite memorable with a few tweaks. 

Though set in modern times, the locations and costuming are very fitting of a Hammer film. Same goes for the flirtation with humor and the use of a number of memorable musical pieces. The gothic drama oozes even as the violence keeps the gushing to a minimum. For fans of the novella on which this is based, be assured that (in true Hammer style) plenty of creative changes to the source material abound. All these things make for a very interesting foundation for a good hour of the film's runtime but, as aforementioned, the wheels truly come off when its time to cinch all the details together. A real shame because it was so close to touching glory. 

Of utmost note is Eddie Izzard's performance as the titular character. To say that she is engaging is an understatement. The surrounding cast is also very complementary to her talents and in setting up a real sense of mystery (even for a familiar a structure/tale as this one). Let's make this clear, it is not Eddie and her acting ilk that fail the audience, it is the film's rather messy third act that undoes a lot of their good work. In fact, a lot of things that seemed solid or promising at one point or another in the story also waver as the third act lurches toward its unfulfilling end. The ultimate reveal is clumsy and nowhere near as clever as the setup suggests it will be. In fact, it only raises questions of logic and shines a bright light on plenty of plot holes or just weak storytelling decisions. The actors do their best and prove to be the saving grace that makes you not outright curse at how it all came apart. It truly feels like an ending that made absolute sense in some creative's mind but, because of that, doesn't land with the viewers.

Still, if you're a Hammer fan, you're likely used to the occasional "almost there" flick. Even if you're not, it's worth a watch should it come across your desk, if only to see what could of been had they knocked out the home stretch. I liked SO MUCH in this movie that the discombobulated resolution really threw me out of the loop. Even now, I desperately want to love it. Alas, I can not. Izzard shines, there are moments of great promise, and it is not horrendous in the least. Truly, its a great shame that so many ideas and concepts feel oddly "unrounded".