Entertaining but ultimately predictable whodunnit. Well acted aside from Nighy who does what you'd expect him to do. Meh

MORE REVIEWS AT booksequalhappiness.blogspot.comREVIEW: I found the cinematography creepy, gruesome, dark, and amazing. It reminded me of Sweeney Todd.Plot-wise, it wasn't awesome but it was alright. I think something doesn't quite match the synopsis that was given though.The pacing was quite slow so it got kind of boring. Still, I was intrigued as to how things would unfold. I really didn't expect the twist to come or maybe I really didn't think that there would be one.I like the short musical parts. It kind of reminded me of Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables.The cast was amazing in their performances especially Douglas Booth as Leno. I love him and his scenes. It was weird but really amazing.SHOULD YOU WATCH IT: Sure, if you want something mysterious and dark (but does have a bit of a slow pacing). WOULD I WATCH IT AGAIN: Probably not unless someone invited me to watch it with them.

Set in Victorian London, before Jack the Ripper, this film opens with Lizzie Cree being arrested for the poisoning of her husband John. We then learn that a killer has been terrorising the inhabitants of the Limehouse area of the city; a killer that has been dubbed The Limehouse Golem. Inspector John Kildare is given the job of catching the killer after many murders; he knows he is being set upto fail as the previous inspector distances himself from the failed investigation. Kildare works with Constable George Flood, the policeman who arrested Lizzie. An early clue leads to four suspects; one of whom is John Cree. After meeting her in prison, Kildare speculates Lizzie discovered the truth about her husband so killed him but she continues to deny she did it... he determines to identify the Golem and save Lizzie from the noose. Through a series of flashbacks we learn about Lizzie's life; from a child growing up in terrible circumstances to becoming a success in the music hall to marrying John Cree. Other suspects include Dan Leno, a music hall comic; Karl Marx, yes that Karl Marx! and George Gissing, an author. As Kildare closes in on the killer pressure increases as it looks as though Lizzie is sure to hang... if he can prove she killed the Golem he believes the public and the law would forgive her.I was surprised to see this film getting such a low rating here on the IMDb and even more surprised at how few reviews there were. I really enjoyed the story and the way it was told. The story of Lizzie's life was nicely intertwined with the story of the Golem murders and Kildare's investigation. The film has a great look; nicely capturing the traditional representation of Victorian London... the subject of the film also mirrors the Victorian popularity with violent melodrama. When Kildare questions each of the various suspects we see the Golem's crimes with the suspect taking the role of the killer; I rather liked this device as it helped one avoid zeroing on one person as the killer even as more and more evidence pointed to one man. The ending came as a bit of a surprise but proved most satisfactory to me. The cast does a fine job; most obviously Bill Nighy is on fine form as Kildare and I really enjoyed Olivia Cooke's performance as Lizzie. Daniel Mays and Douglas Booth are also impressive as Flood and Dan Leno. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody looking for a murder mystery that feels a little different to most in the genre.

Terrific acting from a terrific cast. Some actors in this British movie are new to me. Bill Nighy is wonderful.Subtext of feminism is carried off very well. Costuming and locations are great.Direction is very good.If you like mystery with atmosphere, do not miss this. -bob h