Mr. Brooks

Mr. Brooks

Starring Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook & William Hurt

"Mr. Brooks" sends us in many different directions, both good and bad, both needed and excessive, both explained and confused. Directed by Bruce A. Evans, a director with a short resume, the movie is fun to watch, and at times (though some won't admit it), it's pleasing for us the people die. It's about a very important, very wealthy business man, Earl Brooks, played devilishly by Kevin Costner, who has a seductive tendency to murder random men and women, according to his initial interest in them and according to his inner Mr. Hyde, his libido named Marshall (William Hurt). Marshall appears to Brooks whenever a killing tendency arrives, whether it's driving his car or eating ice-cream at a restaurant. He is also the mastermind of the murders that Brooks commits. William Hurt is impressively cool as Marshall, having a blast with the character's urges towards Brooks, and the fact that no one can see him.

In comes the conflict. Conflict #1, played by Dane Cook (who's successful as a not-so-comedic role), is Mr. Smith, the man who catches Brooks in the act, but doesn't turn it over to the police. Instead he wishes to go with Brooks to murder. Conflict #2, played by Demi Moore, is Detective Tracy Atwood, a tremendously rich cop who has been tracking down the Thumbprint Killer (Brooks) for almost her whole career. When Brooks makes a comeback to killing, after a two year "break," Atwood is desperate to track him down and Smith is desperate to kill.

The storyline of "Mr. Brooks" is actually a very well developed script. It has a dark humor to it, only brought out through Hurt's sex/blood-driven Marshall, and a deep sense of forgiveness for Brooks. Each character has his or her subplots, that fit - for the most part - quite well with the main story. For example, Detective Atwood is going through a horrible divorce where the sleazeball ex-husband is asking for more and more money. Not only is this fun to watch, but later, it cuts nicely into Brooks' and Smith's stratagem. However, the underplot of the Hangman (a killer who just escaped from jail), proves a little excessive with the already packed script, though it does have a loud bullet brawl near the end.

Though the most intriguing story is that of Brooks and his family. His wife Emma (Marg Helgenberger) is loving, supportive, and completely unawares of what Brooks does, either because she's a senseless housewife or Brooks covers up his tracks (which he does). Then there's their college-bound daughter, Jane (Danielle Panabaker), who comes home after dropping out of college. Hmm... wonder why? So does Earl and Emma. First, she couldn't handle it. Then, she's pregnant. Finally, two detectives show up at the house to ask Jane questions about a murder at the university. Marshall and Brooks believe she's guilty; that she has the same addiction to killing as they do, well, as he does.

So why is this movie not top notch? Primarily, it was the end that ruined it for me. Both cliche and predictable, I wanted to scream obscenities for giving us a bunch of bologna to chew on the way home. Also, Demi Moore was a dead weight when it came to giving her character that extra umph she needed. Her scenes became dull and long-winded because it seemed like she didn't give a damn. She didn't even flinch when she just flew out of a speeding van, landed on another car, and was getting serious stitches in her head! And where was the bandage? And why was she swimming? That was a ridiculous mistake.

"Mr. Brooks" was a feel-good, humorous thriller that pleased and annoyed all that the same time. And as the old lady who walked out with me said, "My God, I feel awful. I feel like I committed all the murders!"

Grade: C