User reviews

This movie was not what I expected, but in a good way. I saw that Kevin Costner was in it, and figured it would be a light-hearted drama. Then I read that it was suspense, and figured he was a good-guy spy or something. Not so.

I don't want to spoil exactly what Mr. Brooks is (even though it's revealed in the early part of the movie), but let's just say he's not a good guy. He is cold, brilliant, methodical, and heartless. Definitely not the traits we normally expect from Kevin Costner. And yet, it's fascinating to watch. I found myself rooting for him, and then had to kick myself because his character is so despicable. Top notch acting from him.

Dane Cook seems an odd casting choice for a suspense thriller, and yet he is believable in his role as a cowardly average joe trying to get the better of Mr. Brooks.

This movie is surprisingly graphic and brutal in some scenes. Yet it is so engrossing that you will be hooked on every twist and turn (and there are some good ones).

Not for the faint of heart, not your normal Costner flick, but a very good movie.

'Mr. Brooks', 2007's first true psychological thriller, features an all star cast with Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, and William Hurt. With a thriller like this, and 2 actors (Cook and Costner) who are playing extremely different roles, the film could have failed. It doesn't at all. It is an extremely clever and intelligent film that is a great ride from start to finish.

Earl Brooks (Oscar Winner Kevin Costner) is Portland's man of the year. He has it all, a beautiful wife, a wonderful company, an awesome home, and a daughter (Danielle Panabaker) in college. But Mr. Brooks also has a secret. A secret addiction. He loves killing, mostly because of the maniacal representation of his temptations and desires: Marshall (Oscar Winner William Hurt). After one last killing, Mr. Brooks is ready to quit, but is quickly blackmailed back into killing by the young photographer known simply as Mr. Smith (Dane Cook). Smith just wants to tag along for the ride to feel the rush of killing. But this murderous trio of Brooks/Marshall/Smith must be careful, as tough-as-nails detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore) is on their trail.

I know my description of the plot is thorough, but it doesn't spoil anything, as all this is introduced within 10 to 15 minutes of the opening. I give director Bruce Evans a lot of credit for moving the film along quickly, because most of it is the self-inflection conversations of Mr. Brooks and Marshall. The acting is very well done, and with a cast like this, you should expect it. Costner has been everyone's hero the past 2 decades, but Costner totally breaks the mold with a daring and riveting performance as the conflicted, murderous, yet loving Mr. Brooks. His performance really allows the audience to root for him, even though he's a vicious killer. Costner effectively displays internal conflicts between the good side of him, and the dark side. William Hurt is equally haunting as Marshall, the figment of Brooks' imagination. No stranger to villainous characters (there is no true villain, but Costner, Cook, and Hurt's characters are all bad men), Hurt will grab the audience's attention with his smooth and liquid delivery and cruel responses to Mr. Brooks's regrets. Demi Moore delivers in a role that is a type of character rarely seen in movies anymore. Moore gives us a very flawed, yet strong woman who is the only truly good and moral character in the entire movie. Her character has a lot going on in her life, and it is definitely conveyed in her impatience and quick temper, but we always know why she is how she is. Lastly, and the biggest surprise of the entire film, Dane Cook steals the show in one of the better performances of recent memory. Cook goes tit for tat with Costner in every scene they share, providing some pretty intense moments between the pair. Being the comedian he is, Cook will get a couple of laughs, but this role is completely serious. Cook looks like he had a lot of fun doing this, as he gives us a very layered Mr. Smith who is very disturbed, but at the same time, we know he's a fragile guy who is just a pawn in Mr. Brooks' master plan. Cook will blow you away with his range, and he does a great job displaying his character arc. Mr. Smith starts off as a sarcastic and overconfident guy who is looking to toy with a killer. By the end of the film, Smith changes radically into a completely different person. Way to go Dane.

Bruce Evans does a great job at the helm of the film, providing a fast paced psychological thriller helped out by clever dialog, and one of the most intelligent characters portrayed on film since Hannibal Lecter in Mr. Brooks. It's almost unreal how smart and clever Costner's character is. Another thing I liked was the symmetry between Costner and Hurt. The actors carry a lot of the same mannerisms into their characters, and with the help of Evans, it looks great. There are times where they will do the same movement at the exact same time. Mr. Brooks is a first rate thriller that any fan of the genre should enjoy. The plot has its twists and turns before the grand finale, which reminds the viewer that...Mr. Brooks always has a plan...

8/10 --spy

The main thing about Mr. Brooks that I love is that it is so convincing in its portrayal of the internal workings of a certain sort of mind, almost as if it were an inside story. Mr. Brooks is a character who is completely unsuspecting to anyone observing him, yet he is a completely different person beneath the skin. He is much more complex than a lot of mainstream audiences will realize upon first viewing. He has deep feelings for his family, which means he's capable of deep feelings. Yet he is completely aware of his manipulative and destructive capabilities and intermittently cannot help himself and must take advantage of them. I think the script is a truly brilliant rendering of a very realistic sort of personality that is so secretive that they can be found throughout the range of all human activity.

Kevin Costner having always been one of the most wooden actors in contemporary movies, I am very impressed that he hit the nail on the head with this very challenging and multi-layered character of Mr. Brooks, and in understanding him completely knew just how much of him to reserve for William Hurt's share, Hurt playing a figure nonexistent to anyone in the film other than Costner, representing the deepest, darkest thoughts of Mr. Brooks. The script and direction are very clear-cut and discern the dialogue between Costner and Hurt as the same character and not a split personality.

Demi Moore is affecting in her portrayal of a cop whose personal life calls upon the part of a personality that would urge with anger towards thoughts of murder and is able to suppress them. It's maybe my favorite of all the performances I've seen of hers. There is lots of subtext in what appears to be a token cop role.

The most interesting casting choice, aside from the impressive comebacks by two aging former box-office magnets, is of comedian Dane Cook as a blackmailing witness to one of Mr. Brooks's murders. His character is a creative blend of voyeuristic and eagerly putzy, and Cook pulls it off very becomingly.

As well as being a very gripping and unpredictable celebration of evil, I think a lot of extra credit is due to this film especially for holding its own at the box office during a summer of conglomerate box-office hogs like the second sequels to Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek, Ocean's Eleven, and Spider-Man when it is actually very edgy and takes a lot of risks as a mainstream film.

I saw this movie at Showest back in March and was really impressed. My initial thought was that this movie would be a cheesy rip of "Dexter" or any other "Behind the Serial" type of Movie/Series. Costner gives us an interesting view into the life of an upstanding family man that just happens to be a serial killer on the side. Dane Cook isn't his predictable wacky self, and actually helps round out the film with his twisted comic/perverted view of serial killing. Take every film that you have seen by Costner, Cook and Moore and throw it out the window. This film is surprisingly original and has plenty of plot twists to keep you alert and anxious to see where the story will head next.

'Mr. Brooks', the character for the film's namesake, is a charismatic business man and part-time potter. Mr. Brooks (Kevin Costner) has a family, a fairly wealthy position in life, and a penchant for committing murder to sate the little nagging voice in his head. Everything goes according to plan, until a photographer, Mr. Smith (Dane Cook), takes pictures of a gruesome double homicide and holds it for blackmail. His problems only escalate when Detective Atwood (Demi Moore) begins trying to solve the case.

Well written and acted; surprisingly a decent, serious role from Cook. Script and flow are decent - everything wraps up nicely and it doesn't seem to drag in any place for too long. It's not so much a suspense film (as the tagline makes it fairly obvious who the killer is), but more a cat-and-mouse sort of game.

Worth a watch!

For now I will review the movie overall. This movie has some both good and bad parts to it. The good parts of it were the writing, William Hurt and Kevin Costner. The bad were Demi Moore and Dane Cook.

When I watched movie it was not really what I expected. It had some other elements to it such as Kevin Costner's thought process and his family. The idea of putting William Hurt in this movie was great and very creative casting him as Kevin Costner's mind. This was very original in many way and displayed something different and unique that has not been really shown in serial killer movies.

The best part of this movie was Kevin Costner's performance. His performance was probably the most unique and different compare to other serial killer movies, making his character realistic. The movie was mostly based and revolved around him it allowed for his character to develop and open up. He showed something that I would never expect from Kevin Costner. He was perfect fit because he displayed exactly how many psychopaths are: intelligent, calm and precise. He also fit perfectly because it actually made sense that someone with a personality and status like Costner's could actually be like a Jack the Ripper sort of person. He displayed how he is fighting himself(William Hurt) on whether he should kill or not. But like most psychopaths it eventually becomes repetitive and automatic. He had this obsessive compulsion of just killing people. Costner shows how he is in constant pain and just cannot escape his temptations and paranoia. It was really amazing watching him and William Hurt together. I think the ending perfectly illustrated his performance.

What really ruined this movie was Demi Moore. She just did not bring anything at all to this story. She did not seem into the character and was just too average. Dane Cook was just really not a fit at all. When I look at him I think comedy. He was not too convincing and kind weirded me out the wrong way. That could be a good thing though.

Believe or not this movie does have a message showing how are temptations can eventually take over us if we give into them. It shows by giving in you are really going for the quick fix and not thinking long term.

William Hurt plays Costener's "dark passenger", and his performance is the outstanding highlight of this film. But for a single scene, Costener is also passably good in a Dexter like role... however his performance is overshadowed by Hurt. Unfortunately the story is broken by Dane Cook who is so intrusively unwatchable that you will need to take a break to make yourself a fortifying cuppa to find the strength to continue watching. Good grief he is horrid.

Mr. Brooks is a 2007 psychological thriller about a serial killers desire to control his killing urges. But when forced to take on a protege through blackmail, and with an FBI agent on his tale he must come to grips with what he is in more ways than one.

I think this is a terrific movie. Although the story can be a little busy at times, it was very well written by Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans who also directed. The characters are intriguing with a fantastic cast behind them, Kevin Costner's performance is incredible as Mr. Brooks. It's full of twists and turns you don't see coming, and ends with you wanting to see more.

It's too bad that they never got to make the sequels that were planned because I love this movie. If you've never seen it before, I would highly recommend checking it out.

Finally got round to seeing this and so glad I did.

So many movies thesedays are navel gazing attempts to 'subvert our expectations'. This doesn't.

Costner is great, his interplay with William Hurt is brilliant. The story is wonderful. The side plot with Demi Moore is interesting enough and joins up with the main plot really well.

It's nice to watch real film stars with proper acting skills plying their trade in a movie where we don't know where it will end.

More of this please Hollywood. More of this unique, standalone stories that do not require sequels or prequels in order to justify it being greenlit.

Mr Brook a respectful family man alter ego of a smart n ruthless serial killer known as thrumprint killer,soon he blackmailed by an a murder witness Film Begins as typical serial killer flick like a killer murders his victims in strange methods but after 20mins really this film is unpredictable till the end...

storyline is pretty impressive as serial killer is being a blackmailed by an unknown person n he have to overcome his traps..

Second half is brilliant twist n turns in climax is a simply clever.. Mr brooks is a must watch thriller flick just watch it ..

4 June 2007. Several brilliant moments occur in Mr. Brooks, a deeply disturbing psychological thriller that hits several controversial buttons by speculatively looking inside the schizophrenic mind of a serial killers. The deliciously creepy synchronized smiles that begin occurring on William Hurt's and Kevin Costner's faces midway into the movie is like pouring a smooth, sickly sweet evil coating over the audience smothering them in rich, sticky creepiness. The loud and very realistic gunshots towards the end of the movie are some of the most effective special effects shots from any movie. The beginning, however, missed an opportunity to go for "The Sixth Sense" or "A Beautiful Mind" possibility to make the twist part way into the movie a real treat, thus the beginning was a bit watered down. The musical score of the movie was very effective and the photography great. The entire element of twisted dysfunctional rot was unmistakable, but even more coolly clever was that Kevin Costner's character unlike Hannabil Lector played by Anthony Hopkins who made brilliant evil into something likable, Kevin's performance was much more poignant and powerful by its incredible polar pull of good, sympathizing, evil and repulsive. In today's black and white society, it is so often difficult to realize the blurry gray. Demi Moore plays it straight in this movie. What was both commendable and confusing was the number of separate plots going on, interweaving, the merely coincidental and deliberate intersections in this movie. There are a number of threads that seem to flail off into more grayness. Overall, this was an effective psychological portrayal of heinous criminal violence along with a richly deep emotional humanity tucked inside with real world elements of unknown endings along the trimmings. It was also fun to watch Lindsay Crouse as Captain Lister from "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" fame as Professor Maggie Walsh and Reiko Aylesworth who played Demi Moore's husband's lawyer from "24" as Michelle Dessler. Needless to mention the C.S.I. starlet (too obvious) but nice job. Eight out of Ten Stars.

Last week I rented out Mr. Brooks as my friend had recommended this. This film treats murder as an addiction, like any other alcohol, drug addictions. That is a very good move by the director Bruce. A. Evans. Mr. Brooks is like the Batman of serial killers. He has a secret closet where identical serial-killer outfits hang above a row of matching black boots, and he has all the latest in serial-killer gadgets. Just because he is addicted to murder doesn't mean he is stupid. He takes all precautions and has full information about the prey he wants to kill.

A hardened detective enters into a case with a vicious serial killer she is tracking after earning the respect of the police department for tracking down a murderous madman known as 'The Hangman' in this vicious psychological thriller starring Demi Moore, Kevin Costner, and William Hurt. Earl Brooks (Costner) is a successful businessman, noted philanthropist, and loving father. He's the kind of man that no one would ever suspect of being a notorious serial killer, but then again history's most chilling psychopaths are often the quiet neighbours who no one would ever suspect capable of committing such unspeakable atrocities. Until now, no one has had any reason to link Earl Brooks with the heinous crimes of the dreaded Thumbprint Killer. Even his beautiful wife (Marg Helgenburger) and teenage daughter (Danielle Panabaker) could never conceive of such an awful truth. But when Mr. Brooks's dark side begins to take over his sane exterior, an amateur photographer (Dane Cook) captures the killer succumbing to his murderous instinct on film. Now, as Mr. Brooks is pursued by the detective Tracy Atwood (Moore) and forced to bend to the will of an opportunistic bystander, the killer who was once able to keep his murderous alter ego (Marshall - William Hurt) in check finds his control steadily slipping.

This film brings out the best in William Hurt and Kevin Costner. Wish I could say the same about Demi Moore, but she is nothing more than a bystander to the killer's awesome detailed killings. She is always several steps behind Mr. Brooks. The divorce angle isn't quite interesting. Mr. Smith (Dane Cook) is a slimy basterd whom nobody will like and that means he did his job perfectly. William Hurt as Marshall, the murderous alter-ego of Mr. Brooks brings out Brooks dark side to the fore. They are both intelligent psychopaths who love Brooks's family. Kevin Costner makes us root for the psychopath in him by giving a memorable performance as Brooks who is addicted to killing. Danielle Panabaker is also very good as the sweet and cute daughter, Jane Brooks who also has an addiction to murder. The cinematography and background score is very well done. This is an above average thriller which will capture your attention till the end. See it, you won't be disappointed.

8/10

I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I kept telling myself, it's Kevin Costner, it must be good. And wow, was it ever good. Costner gives an amazing performance to this unique character that's a true serial killer through and through. The alter ego aspect was perfect, as it brought out a clear struggle, between the nice Mr. Brooks and the not so nice side of him. The movie reminded me a lot of Dexter, as Mr. Brooks and Dexter share a lot of character traits and thought patterns. The movie wasn't over the top gory or brutal. It had a great plot that keeps the viewer hooked and on their toes. And there is a nude shot of Kevin Costner for anyone interested.

Costner is convincing playing against type. Demi Moore's character was a tad too close to Sharon stone's character in basic instinct but it doesn't detract. William hurt brings real gravitas (as always). Dane Cook is disturbingly convincing as a total creep (I hope he's just a really good actor). Compelling story that does not drift into cliche. A fine film.

Just came across this on HBO. Never heard of it before. It was surprisingly good, and never a dull moment. A quality thriller, worth the watch. Kevin Costner is great as the main character. Demi Moore is pretty good as the lead defective as well. Some good twists and turns, you get a few surprises towards the end, but they're good all in all.

In order for it to be better it should've had more suspense, more thrill sort of. The daughter, who ends up being quite an important character for the plot, should have had a more thorough storyline herself. That would've made the movie a bit longer, as it's edited quite well, but it would actually have made the movie better, despite it being 2 hours long in the first place.

"Mr. Brooks" is a psychological thriller directed by Bruce A. Evans and starring Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, and Dane Cook. Released in 2007, the film presents a gripping narrative that delves into the mind of a seemingly ordinary man with a dark and deadly secret.

Kevin Costner delivers a standout performance as Earl Brooks, a successful businessman and loving family man who harbors a sinister alter ego known as the Thumbprint Killer. Costner's portrayal masterfully captures the internal conflict of a man struggling to suppress his murderous urges while maintaining the facade of a respectable member of society. His nuanced performance lends depth and complexity to the character, making Earl Brooks both chilling and strangely sympathetic.

Demi Moore shines as Detective Tracy Atwood, the tenacious police officer hot on the trail of the Thumbprint Killer. Moore brings a sense of determination and intelligence to the role, portraying Atwood as a formidable adversary to Brooks. The dynamic between Brooks and Atwood forms the core of the film's suspense, as each tries to outmaneuver the other in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Adding to the intrigue is the character of Marshall (played by Dane Cook), a voyeuristic photographer who discovers Brooks' secret and blackmails him into teaching him the art of murder. Cook's performance is unexpectedly compelling, bringing a dark humor to the role that contrasts with the film's more serious tone.

What sets "Mr. Brooks" apart from other thrillers is its exploration of morality and the nature of evil. The film delves into Brooks' psyche, examining the origins of his murderous impulses and the internal struggle between his desire to kill and his longing for redemption. This introspective approach adds depth to the story, elevating it beyond mere suspense to explore profound themes of guilt, identity, and the blurred line between good and evil.

Visually, "Mr. Brooks" is stylish and atmospheric, with moody cinematography and a haunting score that heighten the sense of tension and unease. The film's pacing is brisk, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as the plot twists and turns towards its shocking conclusion.

In summary, "Mr. Brooks" is a gripping thriller that captivates with its complex characters, intense performances, and thought-provoking themes. Kevin Costner delivers a career-defining performance as the enigmatic Earl Brooks, while Demi Moore and Dane Cook provide strong support. With its blend of suspense, psychological depth, and moral ambiguity, "Mr. Brooks" is a must-see for fans of the genre.

Dane Cook, best known for his stand-up comedy, surprised audiences with a surprisingly serious performance in the 2007 thriller Mr. Brooks. Stepping away from his usual comedic persona, Cook takes on the role of Mr. Smith, a man who witnesses a murder and blackmails the killer into teaching him the art of getting away with it. Cook's transformation from comedic actor to intense and calculating character is notable, showcasing a range previously unseen in his career. While some critics questioned his casting, Cook's performance in Mr. Brooks proved he could hold his own in a dramatic role, leaving audiences intrigued and impressed.

"Mr. Brooks" is not a typical serial killer movie. I can't remember a film that told so much of the story from the killers point of view. A killer that appears so normal. That is the scariest ingredient of the film. Though a little obsessive compulsive, Mr.Brooks is frighteningly normal.

The lead actors seem to be enjoying themselves. I don't remember Kevin Costner in such a role before. He is completely believable. William Hurt is over-the-top as the dark side of Earl Brooks. I smell an academy nomination here.

"Mr. Brooks" is not a perfect film, but I believe you will be entertained by a solid story and performances that are way above average.

I enjoyed this more than I expected to actually. Its well made, intriguing and I liked the story, a kind of 'Dexter' spin on a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde theme. Probably too many twists and subplots as things moved along but I wasn't ever sure how this was going to play out so I enjoyed that aspect.

Kevin Costner is "Mr. Brooks", a successful business and family man who also just happens to be a serial killer. He's trying to stop, to go clean with the help of AA meetings but that little voice is back, yes "Marshall" has returned, and now even with meticulous planning someone has photographed him at the scene of his latest murder, or maybe this time Mr. Brooks just wants to get caught?

Kevin Costner was very good in this as was William Hurt as his alter ego. The scene where 'Marshall' first appears in the back seat of the car made me jump, freaky but all of their interactions were excellent, joking and laughing in a psycho kinda way and arguing with Marshall telling 'Earl' you know you want too.

Dane Cook was fine, perfect for his role. I sure didn't predict his angle of the story. I was surprised to see Demi Moore again, (where did her super scratchy voice go?) Her part was probably the least interesting, just a stereotypical cop sub-story with an intense action scene thrown in out of nowhere.

We also get appearances from that cute boy toy from Sex & The City (Jason Lewis) and Marg Helgenberger of CSI fame plays the oblivious Mrs. Brooks. I could have done without the surprise ending sequence or at least make that the real ending as it was it felt like it was just thrown in for shock value. 7/20/15