Simply A Masterpiece

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This is a great thriller supported by a fantastic cast and a great pace. Mr. Brooks is played by Kevin Costner, and he is a serial killer by night, a popular, intelligent self-righteous man of the community by day. He goes by the name Earl when not in killing mode. To make matters even more complicated Mr. Brooks is a persona arisen by a devil voice within Earl- and he is played(not just voiced but physically portrayed) by William Hurt. In one of his outings Brooks is caught in the act of murder by a photographer and then becomes entangled by the law- mainly one lady played by Demi Moore. With actors of such class there is no reason to doubt that the audiences will be kept captivated- and they are. The cinematography, pacing and direction is excellent, and it is surprising that the director Bruce Evans has only made 2 films including this one.

We all have these inner demons in our brains suggesting what decisions to make with our temptations. Some demons suggest the extra snack or binge. Other voices in our brains suggest doing drugs or alcohol. Come on, one more drink or toke of a joint! Some get thrills or a rush out of stealing items from a store. Some voices even go as far as suggesting killing others. Mr. Brooks on the surface appears as straight and narrow as any established businessman. Portland, Oregon's MAN OF THE YEAR award winner at a lavish banquet with his Lovely spouse by his side. All picture perfect until we come to the ride home where you see Mr and Mrs. Brooks sitting in their car with a strange bald man in the back seat named Marshall (William Hurt) who suggests to Mr. Brooks that another killing should happen. The wife is oblivious to Marshall's presents. Mrs. Emma Brooks (Marg Helgenberger) cant see or hear him. Brooks suggest that they stop at a local Ice cream cafe for desert as Brooks looks upward into an apartment watching two lover for a potential double murder as the invisible Marshall tempts and taunts the frustrated Brooks. Brooks that evening sneaks out of his home and carries out his homicide. Wears special clothing, Plastic bag over gun with silencer attached, everything done to detail. Meticulous and methodical for the serial killer who enters the apartment opens the door and says Hello then fire two shots at each victim. Retrieve the shells and takes each victim and puts their bloody thumbprint on a lampshade.Vacuumed and cleans up the area thoroughly. The Police label this serial killer "The Thumbprint Killer". Everything done to detail except this time Brook's forgot to close the drapes as he's reminded by his alter ego Marshall. Marshall tells Brooks the adjacent apartment building would have potential witnesses watching. A few days later you see a nervous man waiting in the lobby of Brooks's business. Meanwhile Mr. Brooks has a daughter Jane (Danielle Panabaker), who enters his office with news of quitting College. Marshall by Brooks' side suggests she's hiding bigger news. Jane comes out with news of being pregnant meeting an older gentleman and wants an abortion to rectify things but Jane refuses to go back to school . Meanwhile our nervous friend is waiting to see Brooks as Mr. Smith give the compliant receptionist a sealed envelope of photos of Brooks by the window where he killed two lovers that faithful night. Brook's is surprised by Smith's unusual request which has nothing to do with shaking Brook's for money. Meanwhile the authorities are baffled by the the Thumbprint killer as or story shifts to Police Detective Atwood (Demi Moore) who is obsessed with this particular case. Atwood's personal life intertwines with this story plus more bad news about daughter Jane as she is in more hot water involved in a homicide. Three stories connect in a two hour thriller. Some might say the coincidences ruin the movie but the editing and quick scenes keep you from falling asleep. Personally I'm not a fan of the acting skills of Costner but I do enjoy his scripts/story lines, i.e. No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field Of Dreams and JFK. Costner was very unpretentious, quite reserved maintains a coolness to this role. Dane Cook plays a frustrated tag along and Demi Moore plays the baffled gum shoe always three steps behind the killer. Demi personally is not a likable character in most of her movies but when it come's to divorce lawyers, I'm rooting for Demi. William Hurt, "the alter ego" puts you right into the thought process of our main character, the serial killer Brooks. Costner's best work to date. Oh by the way, what's the name of your voice in your head?

I put this movie in the bin along Crash, Irresistible, Hannibal because i just blame the efforts and dedication to put inhuman, horrible violence and pain into an art object! Those movies prove that there's something wicked in our societies, a sort of dark cancer that kills our most positive and beautiful things! So here we are the voyeur of a serial killer and as the bad Beautiful Mind, it's suggested that he is not that responsible as he is managed by a vicious buddy! Things got really worse as he must become the mentor of his blackmailer and also because his madness is hereditary! For one time, we have the usual Clichés of the American movie torn in a different light (the wealthy boss, the happy family) but maybe what makes the difference here is the quality of the cast: Costner the good guy by excellence is excellent as well as Hurt (he looks like the Yellow bastard from Sin City), as Moore (even if always cold, athletic, tough) with a special mention for Dane Cook, the could be son of Fletch who adds here to his cool attitude a real ability for drama too!

This movie was well done. Seeing Demi Moore play the cop in this picture was a special treat, and combined with Costner/Hurt - this was a very well-acted movie. Although I would have liked to see a more in-depth psychological interaction with Costner/Hurt and his victims and family, it was still good. I thought they are definitely missing a whole scene where Costner takes care of his daughter's business at school though - that was a gap that was disappointing. This movie screams sequel but one has still not been done, although it has been talked about. Every main character in the movie - all good actors - instead of the crappy movies they are putting out by the dozen full of nobodies. This review contains one spoiler - watch Mr. Brooks' glasses for clues.