Mr. Brooks (2007)

Directed by: Bruce A. Evans | 120 minutes | drama, thriller, crime | Actors: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, Marg Helgenberger, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Danielle Panabaker, Aisha Hinds, Lindsay Crouse, Jason Lewis, Reiko Aylesworth, Matt Schulze, Yasmine Delawari, Traci Dinwiddie, Michael Cole

It’s been a while since we could enjoy Kevin Costner on the silver screen. The well-known actor of ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Dances with Wolves’ has not been heard much lately, but in the role of Mr. Brooks in the film of the same name, he is back from never actually being away.

At first glance, Earl Brooks seems to be a happy family with his beautiful wife and daughter whom he loves dearly. To the outside world the ideal family, but in the meantime the strange passion of the father plays tricks on them. Earl has a serious addiction. Father Brooks attends an AA meeting for his addiction, but doesn’t tell his fellow addicts that he’s really not addicted to alcohol or drugs, but to murder. This bizarre hobby takes shape in the form of his alter-ego Marshall (William Hurt). Fortunately, it was decided to come up with a visible second personality, so that the viewer can better understand why this charming man and caring father suddenly plays the serial killer. Though he could have resisted it a little more for credibility.

Demi Moore plays the cop who has to find this serial killer. Of course, she also has several private issues that affect her work, such as her husband’s divorce and the fact that the murderer she managed to arrest has recently escaped prison and is after her. Why this last storyline was put into the film is a mystery. Maybe Demi Moore wanted to give her part a little more action. As exciting as these action scenes are, it strays too much from the story and the movie doesn’t get any better. The most thankless role is for Marg Helgenberger, who plays the naive Emma Brooks. She takes her husband at his word when he says he is in his studio, when he is actually committing a murder. Not for a moment does she realize or doubt the innocence of her husband and daughter. It is a shame for Marg Helgenberger that she has been assigned a role in which she cannot sufficiently show her acting skills.

‘Mr. Brooks’ is not only exciting, there is also a dramatic side to it. Namely the story of a schizophrenic man who doesn’t want to hurt his family with his strange, murderous second personality. Director Bruce A. Evans also managed to bring humor into the film. Especially the character of Mr. Smith indicates that the film should not be taken too seriously. A frightened, naive, wannabe killer who kills Mr. Brooks as his great hero provides the necessary dose of relativism. And the fact that Earl Brooks talks to his alter-ego Marshall in front of others, while they don’t realize he’s talking or behaving strangely is, to say the least, bizarre. However, this is so integrated into the film that it doesn’t affect the credibility of the story.

‘Mr. Brooks’ is a crime/thriller with a lot of suspense and horror elements that also has a good story. This is a great film for drama and thriller fans alike. ‘Mr. Brooks’ remains exciting and believable right up to the tedious open ending. Only downside; this ending begs for a sequel!