Mr. Brooks (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'Mr. Brooks' is a psychological thriller directed by Bruce A. Evans. Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) is a successful businessman. He's a generous man, devoted to a loving wife (Marg Helgenberger), & a loving father to a freshman in College, Jane (Danielle Panabaker). BUT, he's also a schizophrenic murderer, the 'Thumbprint Killer'. While Earl attends AA meetings to break his habit, his amoral alter-ego/devil's advocate, Marshall (William Hurt), is always at his side to urge him on to another murder. Det. Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore) has never been able to solve the Thumbprint case. No one has ever suspected Earl ...until now. One misstep is all Mr. Smith (Dane Cook) needed. Costner, and an intelligent screenplay makes us bear some dodgy subplots near the end.
Mr. Brooks is Portland, Oregon's Man of the Year. Little does anyone know that he's the on-again-off-again serial killer. He hasn't killed in 2 yrs., but Marshall is pressing him on to commit one last bloodthirsty killing. Earl usually executes his methodical murders without error. But this time, the window drapes of his victims' apartment were open for eager eyes to see. Such eyes belong to a voyeur who lives in a nearby apartment complex, Mr. Smith. And when he approaches Earl with incriminating photos of the murder, Mr. Smith reveals a hidden passion to Earl, and this already nutty plot kicks into another gear.
Det. Tracy Atwood has a lot on her plate. She's a tough lady, but her inability to uncover the killer, her fear of some recent escapees-from-prison (that she put away), & the bad timing of her divorce (with multi-million $$ alimony headaches) has made her quite the tortured soul. Can she put the pieces together and rat-out Mr. Brooks? Will Mr. Brooks ever stop killing? If he does, will Marshall go away for good? OR, if he can't stop, will he try to kill himself? And what ... just WHAT does Earl's daughter have to do with all of this? Home from school (with a bun in the oven), what, if anything, does she and/or her father have to do with a murder back at her college? The plot becomes overwrought with subplots, at times. But if you can stay the course, the outcome is rewarding.
Kevin Costner's intrinsically emotionless personality gives Earl Brooks a gentle demeanor, but also one in which he could flip the switch and be calm, cool & diabolical. He makes us uneasy; thus, making the film creepy. We're so involved because we root for Mr. Brooks (the likeable, rational side) to defeat his psychopathic urges; it's amazing to feel somewhat sympathetic towards an anti-hero such as him. And all of his scenes with William Hurt crackle with quiet intensity & engaging wit. Other strong suits of the movie? I liked the way the film utilizes lighting (on faces) to create split/shadowy effects. Also, most of 'Mr. Brooks' is quite tense. You never know exactly what's going on, or what will happen. There's something to be said of unpredictability in thrillers such as these.
Now, there ARE weak aspects of the film. First, let me get out of the way my dislike for an Asst. Detective (and the ugly hats he adorns). Also, who names a character 'Sunday'? Moving on: Demi Moore (though she has her moments) is the clear weak link here. Her character is stereotypical & overwritten, but she 'still' could have made it work; she doesn't. Another issue? Elaborate plot contrivances are abounding. They almost lost me in the end. But Brooks' condescending relationship with Mr. Smith & a satisfying conclusion quelled my temporary concerns. The movie has humorous dialogue, there's gore & sex (for you folks who get-off on that {wink}), the story is interesting, & the characters are intelligent. I came away from 'Mr. Brooks' in shock that I enjoyed it as much as I did.
Mr. Brooks is Portland, Oregon's Man of the Year. Little does anyone know that he's the on-again-off-again serial killer. He hasn't killed in 2 yrs., but Marshall is pressing him on to commit one last bloodthirsty killing. Earl usually executes his methodical murders without error. But this time, the window drapes of his victims' apartment were open for eager eyes to see. Such eyes belong to a voyeur who lives in a nearby apartment complex, Mr. Smith. And when he approaches Earl with incriminating photos of the murder, Mr. Smith reveals a hidden passion to Earl, and this already nutty plot kicks into another gear.
Det. Tracy Atwood has a lot on her plate. She's a tough lady, but her inability to uncover the killer, her fear of some recent escapees-from-prison (that she put away), & the bad timing of her divorce (with multi-million $$ alimony headaches) has made her quite the tortured soul. Can she put the pieces together and rat-out Mr. Brooks? Will Mr. Brooks ever stop killing? If he does, will Marshall go away for good? OR, if he can't stop, will he try to kill himself? And what ... just WHAT does Earl's daughter have to do with all of this? Home from school (with a bun in the oven), what, if anything, does she and/or her father have to do with a murder back at her college? The plot becomes overwrought with subplots, at times. But if you can stay the course, the outcome is rewarding.
Kevin Costner's intrinsically emotionless personality gives Earl Brooks a gentle demeanor, but also one in which he could flip the switch and be calm, cool & diabolical. He makes us uneasy; thus, making the film creepy. We're so involved because we root for Mr. Brooks (the likeable, rational side) to defeat his psychopathic urges; it's amazing to feel somewhat sympathetic towards an anti-hero such as him. And all of his scenes with William Hurt crackle with quiet intensity & engaging wit. Other strong suits of the movie? I liked the way the film utilizes lighting (on faces) to create split/shadowy effects. Also, most of 'Mr. Brooks' is quite tense. You never know exactly what's going on, or what will happen. There's something to be said of unpredictability in thrillers such as these.
Now, there ARE weak aspects of the film. First, let me get out of the way my dislike for an Asst. Detective (and the ugly hats he adorns). Also, who names a character 'Sunday'? Moving on: Demi Moore (though she has her moments) is the clear weak link here. Her character is stereotypical & overwritten, but she 'still' could have made it work; she doesn't. Another issue? Elaborate plot contrivances are abounding. They almost lost me in the end. But Brooks' condescending relationship with Mr. Smith & a satisfying conclusion quelled my temporary concerns. The movie has humorous dialogue, there's gore & sex (for you folks who get-off on that {wink}), the story is interesting, & the characters are intelligent. I came away from 'Mr. Brooks' in shock that I enjoyed it as much as I did.