I wanted to like 'Mr. Brooks'. The concept is nice, I thought the twist with the daughter was great (however preposterous), and Kevin Costner and Demi Moore take their roles very seriously. But as the films plodded along, it simply seemed to get more and more contrived and indulgent, and less of the intelligence and introspection that real cinephiles crave from a movie like this. I quote Richard Roeper: "It's never boring, but neither is stepping on glass." Earl Brooks (Costner) is an ordinary family man, and as the film opens, he is receiving a "Man of the Year" award, and seems to be an all-around great guy. Then, of course, we discover he leads two lives: one as a loving father and husband, and another as a passionless serial killer ominously nicknamed "The Thumbprint Killer". Brooks is constantly goaded by an imaginary familiar named Marshall (William Hurt). His cold-blooded imaginary "friend" encourages his thrill-killing. He knows the killing is what drives him; a source of pleasure.
Demi Moore then steps in as Homicide Detective Tracy Atwood, a true police expert who is great at what she does and knows it. She is simultaneously hunting The Thumbrint Killer and being hunted herself, by a notorious serial killer known as "The Hangman," as well as going through a divorce worth millions. Moore delivers an impressive performance as a tough cop; it's rather surprising how well she fits into the role.
Costner does great work here as a man who can subtly change from an emotionless murderer into a benevolent father and husband.
The liked the "killer" (heh heh) twist with the daughter in a feminist sort of perspective: you don't see many female serial killers in film, and it's a fresh idea to play upon.
But the filmmakers don't go deep enough into untreaded waters for me to give it a recommendation. By the end, the film has smothered itself in gore and unrealistic circumstances. Oh, yeah, and I hate to say it, but Dane Cook cannot act.
2/4
Demi Moore then steps in as Homicide Detective Tracy Atwood, a true police expert who is great at what she does and knows it. She is simultaneously hunting The Thumbrint Killer and being hunted herself, by a notorious serial killer known as "The Hangman," as well as going through a divorce worth millions. Moore delivers an impressive performance as a tough cop; it's rather surprising how well she fits into the role.
Costner does great work here as a man who can subtly change from an emotionless murderer into a benevolent father and husband.
The liked the "killer" (heh heh) twist with the daughter in a feminist sort of perspective: you don't see many female serial killers in film, and it's a fresh idea to play upon.
But the filmmakers don't go deep enough into untreaded waters for me to give it a recommendation. By the end, the film has smothered itself in gore and unrealistic circumstances. Oh, yeah, and I hate to say it, but Dane Cook cannot act.
2/4
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