Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Mr. Smith, before I was the thumb print killer, I've killed lots of people lots of different ways ", October 24, 2007
This by far is Kevin Costner's best film he has been in about 15 years. Costner plays "Mr. Brooks" who leads a double life. On the outside he is a successful businessman and loving family man, on the inside, he struggles with his addiction, his addiction to murder. For about two years he has been able to resist until he listens to his alter ego (played devilishly by William Hurt) to play again. He then goes into the apartment of a couple and proceeds to kill both of them.
The next day he is visited by Mr. Smith, who blackmails him to take him to his next killing. All the while he is being followed by a detective trying to solve the "thumb print murders" and juggles his personal life which is thrust into turmoil. His daughter "drops out of school" and is pregnant, but is that all of it? Soon he discovers she shares the same addiction and sickness as he does and out of compassion "fixes" her situation as well as his own predicament. What to do with and about Mr. Smith? Fulfilling his promise to Mr. Smith he takes him on his next job and decides he wants Mr. Smith to end his suffering and make him disappear, but is this the true end of Mr. brooks?
This one will keep you on your toes, on the edge of your seat and guessing until the end. I haven't personally seen a film executed this well in many years, by far the best Costner has done in a decade, and I wish he would do more films of this caliber more often. A great script, cast and great performances played deliciously by both Costner and Hurt. This one is not to be missed, and I promise you won't be disappointed.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
smart serial killer; dumb cop, October 25, 2007
If it hadn't been for the dumbest cop ever born (the one played by Demi Moore), this would have gotten one more star.
Anyway, Costner does a marvelous job as a tormented serial killer addicted to thrill killing while also holding down a great job and doting on his wife and daughter. The daughter, however, may be a budding serial killer herself, and he wants to save her from becoming like her father.
William Hurt also is in full creepy mode as a manifestation of Costner's dueling personality, while comedian Dane Cook plays a would-be killer who wants Costner to tutor him in how to do it and not get caught.
There is some intrusive techno music and a Matrix-like hallway shoot-out that could have been done better. However, these are quibbles. I had a bigger problem with Moore's distracting divorce battle, impulsiveness, and general arrogance.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
That's Earl, Folks!, February 17, 2008
The scene is now a film staple; tormented souls in a circle, seated on uncomfortable folding chairs - a 12-step meeting. Earl Brooks, Costner, recently named Portland's "Man Of The Year," stands up and announces that he is an addict. Moments later, having wandered away for some coffee, he is confronted by his visible/invisible alter ego Marshall, William Hurt, who says, "You are such a hypocrite, why don't you just tell them you killed two people last night and it felt great?"
Mr. Brooks is a smart, dressy, psychological crime drama that is well cast, written, and acted. The picture holds your interest by successfully walking the fine line between implausibility and creepiness. Remember Marg Helgenberger, KC in the underappreciated TV show, China Beach? As Mrs. Brooks she seems blissfully disinterested in her husband's implausibly explained absences. As to Mr. Brooks himself, he models knowledge of tradecraft a world-class assassin would admire, the attention to detail, thoroughness, and commitment to excellence are inspiring. But behind this buttoned-up methodology lurks real passion; after the film's first murder he's consumed by waves of euphoria, endorphins flood - the stuff of addiction.
The film's most interesting dynamic is between the warring angels of Mr. Brooks himself; played out in conversations between Costner and Hurt. Costner has remorse and truly wants to stop, Hurt is all id, gleefully celebrating and encouraging the dark hunger. While these two argue, they are also chummy and good-natured, frequently cracking each other up - after all, they've been close friends for a long time. Casting plays a large role is the success of this relationship. Costner, long known for leaving in the hangers when putting on shirts, presents a lacquered façade that works perfectly here, hiding the turmoil within. Hurt, who has adopted "less is more" as his personal mantra, is ideally suited to the task of embodying something less than human but more than marsh gas.
The second act is a little clogged, one backstory too many. The voyeur that witnessed Brooks in action wants to piggyback for kicks. The Detective, Demi Moore, who's been tracking the "Thumbprint Killer" for years, is going through a nightmarish divorce. Two psychotic killers, sworn to vengeance against her, wander on and off the set. However, divergence makes way for razor sharp convergence in act 3.
The dichotomy torturing Mr. Brooks is ultimately resolved at home. He is a devoted husband and loving father. But what if he has passed along his broken, twisted genes; what would it mean to love and care for a murderer? He sees himself in his daughter; does she see herself in him? In the final scene of this movie, I found myself rooting for Mr. Brooks - despite everything I'd seen him do. That is the truest measure of the picture's success. A film like this would normally be presented through the eyes of Detective Atwood, Moore, this was much more intriguing. Highly recommended.
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