Mr Brooks (2007)

Directed by Bruce A. Evans
Stars: Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook and William Hurt

We all know that you can become addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling; but what if you were addicted to murder? Could you control that urge? Earl Brooks certainly can’t.

Brooks (Costner), a bland box-making tycoon has a beautiful family, an impressive house and a compulsion for homicide. When we meet him he has been clean for two years. The ‘Thumbprint Killer’, as he is known by the press, has been dormant through a combination of prayer and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. This ultimately fruitless effort is designed to control Marshall (Hurt), the depraved part of Brooks’ imagination that coaxes him into wrongdoing.

After attending a dinner party with his wife, Marshall entices Brooks into killing a young couple in order to satiate his desire. However, somewhat out of practice, the usually exacting killer recklessly exposes his identity to on looking neighbour Mr. Smith (Cook). Smith, peculiarly turned on by the event, blackmails Brooks into taking him along on the next occasion he plans to kill. A deranged accomplice is the least of Brooks’ worries though as he has long time pursuer Detective Atwood (Moore) on his trail, and a disturbing development in his daughter’s life to deal with.

Directed by Stand by Me screenwriter Bruce A. Evans, Mr. Brooks is an unusual thriller. It’s convoluted, quite gory and at times, extremely funny. Costner was the driving force behind its making (he takes a producer credit), and it’s no wonder as he clearly loves playing the character of Earl Brooks. Costner shifts effortlessly between Brooks as the compassionate family man and ruthless killer.

The Californian peaked early in his career with the The Untouchables, Field of Dreams and Dances with Wolves. Unfortunately the mid-nineties brought the catastrophes of Waterworld and The Postman. These missteps dealt lasting damage to his box-office reputation and he has never truly recovered. His measured performance in Mr. Brooks however certainly ranks with the best in his canon of work.

While Costner provides an impressive turn, William Hurt steals the film altogether. His portrayal of Marshall brims with energy, purpose and superb deadpan wit. The scenes involving Brooks and his morally bereft conscience are expertly written and played. The actors are clearly enjoying themselves and they form the heart of Mr. Brooks’ appeal.  

Demi Moore on the other hand, is less convincing as the focused detective juggling issues at home and in the office. Dane Cook is merely reasonable as the obnoxious Mr. Smith without ever troubling his more accomplished co-stars. Solid support is provided by Marg Helgenberger, Danielle Panabaker and Lindsay Crouse.

Despite its relatively low budget, Mr. Brooks displays some high production values. John Lindley’s cinematography is suitably moody and exudes class. Ramin Djawadi, who would go on to compose the music for Iron Man, provides an atmospheric score illuminated by textured strings and haunting piano.

Mr. Brooks is surprising, shocking, uneven and darkly comic. It’s worth watching alone for Costner and Hurt, so go ahead and give this underrated gem a look.