Costner Is a Multilayered Killer

"Mr. Brooks" (2007)
Directed by: Bruce A. Evans (writer of "Stand By Me" & "Cutthroat Island")
Starring: Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Marg Helgenberger, William Hurt
Running Time: 120 minutes
Rut's Rating: 3.5/5

For years, people have seen actor/director Kevin Costner in many good-guy roles, much like in "Dances With Wolves", "The Bodyguard", "JFK" and "The Untouchables". Now, at age 55, Costner is only now starting to branch out, and flips that good-guy image upside down in "Mr. Brooks", a killer thriller about a man constantly wrestling with his inner demons and only kills because its a "disease" that he has.

Earl Brooks, played by Costner, is a top executive who receives a "Man of the Year" award. He's a loving husband and father, but he's tormented by the spirit of his alter ego, Marshall, played with calm and witty eeriness by William Hurt. Its this alter ego that drives Brooks to partake in his secret hobby, killing people. In doing so, he is calculating and flawless, never leaving a trail and having been successful in hiding this "illness" he has had for years. Suddenly, he's alerted that someone saw him commit a murder. A perverted photographer, played by comedian Dane Cook, is the witness and tells Brooks that he wants to accompany him when he goes out to kill again. Brooks reluctantly agrees. Now personally, I'm not a fan of Dane Cook. I thought he was a wrong choice for this movie, my point being proven when it seemed obvious that he was trying to be the "comic relief", in a movie where none of that is needed, nor should be allowed. You'll see what I mean.

Mr. Brooks tries balancing his home life, where he begins to have problems with his daughter, who's growing up too fast it seems, and his night life, driving around looking for more people to kill with his alter ego Marshall in the back seat and photographer Smith (Cook) up front. On the trail of his killings is Detective Tracy Atwood, played with a hard-nosed intensity by Demi Moore. Atwood follows a puzzle of clues and blood, looking for Brooks, who is known to authorities as the "thumbprint killer". She has her own problems to deal with, including the divorce she's going through and the fact that one of her prisoners has escaped from custody.

The movie keeps your attention, and Costner's portrayal of an emotionless man with many skeletons in his closet is the heart of the film, and at times brilliant. William Hurt as the alter ego Marshall complements Costner well; they play off each other greatly and its an interesting display of two minds becoming one. "Mr. Brooks" is arguably one of the most well-written screenplays I've seen come to life, and the performances of Costner, Hurt and Moore only help increase the emotion of it.

Its enjoyable, thrilling, and keeps you inthralled until the last shot.

"Mr. Brooks" just killed your weekend boredom.

Keep 'em laughing,
Derek