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MR. BROOKS Send This Review to a Friend
Watch out for respectable men. The “Mr. Brooks” of the title, played by Kevin Costner, is honored as an upstanding citizen but he is a serial killer who likes to surprise lovers, shoot them and arrange them in erotic positions. Also watch out for films like “Mr. Brooks,” which flaunt star casts but are sick, sleazy and strain credibility.
Brooks’ alter ego is played by William Hurt as Marshall, whom we see accompanying and goading on Brooks when he is trying to stop being a killer. Although he only represents Brooks’ mind at work, Hurt’s physical presence adds tension, as Hurt plays the role with amused menace.
Director Bruce A. Evans, who co-wrote the travesty with Raynold Gideon, has loaded the screen with other sick ploys. Dane Cook as Mr. Smith turns up with photos of Brooks in action, but doesn’t want blackmail money, just an opportunity to go along on other murders to share killing thrills.
The detective trying to solve the murders, Tracy Atwood, is played with an effort at toughness by Demi Moore. There’s some strained plot material involving a divorce in which Atwood’s husband is trying to milk her for all he can get, as she is loaded with money. Meanwhile, a vicious killer whom Tracy put in prison has just been released.
Not enough for you? It seems that Brooks’ daughter has been involved in a murder at college. Like father like daughter?
There’s a very cheap trick at the end that further demeans the film, if it can be further demeaned. Despite all the negatives, there is some perverse enjoyment in seeing Brooks use his wiles as he plays out his schemes. But that’s about it. An MGM release.
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