Disturbing & Compelling !!!!

'Mr. Brooks' starts well at a black tie dinner; as Mr. Brooks (Kevin Costner) accepts the Honor of 'Portland Man of the Year' and later, goaded by his imaginary playmate "Marshall" (William Hurt), goes out and murders a young couple. He claims he wants to give up killing, but really, he finds it fun, and therein lays the seeds of a nasty and brilliant black comic thriller.
Director Bruce A. Evans and Co-Writer Raynold Gideon also introduce Police Detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore). (Perhaps the only miscast role - but does not take away from the films pace and direction).
When "Mr. Brooks" and "Marshall" are on screen all is right in this celluloid world of murder and debaucioury. Costner, normally the straight-arrow hero, gets to play with this new un-wholesome image. On the surface, Mr. Brooks really is that pillar of the community; the square, Christian box factory owner with the lovely wife, Emma (Marg Helgenberger), and college freshman daughter, Jane (Danielle Panabaker). Roiling underneath is that compulsion to destroy; the impulse he claims he wants to bring to an end, but "Marshall" is always lurking, enabling and encouraging.
Personality-Wise, "Marshall" is similar to the mobster Hurt played in 'A History of Violence', cheerfully sardonic in his approach to murder.
Both actors clearly have a blast as this kind of middle-aged Leopold and Loeb, All-American Killers touched by madness. When Dane Cook enters their orbit, playing Mr. Smith, a witness to one of their crimes, they treat their co-star much as Mr. Brooks regards Mr. Smith, as someone to toy with. Cook is not a bad actor himself, and holds well his own while 'Mr Brooks' & 'Marshall' truly endelve his world.
Detective Atwood presents truly intriguing; adding two additional subplots as to design a back story as well. In the first, another Serial Killer (not Mr. Brooks) is out to add her hide to a Trophy Case. In the second, she is not just a Homicide Detective, she is also an Heiress - Worth $60 Million; and struggling hard not to forfeit to her young, pretty boy-toy husband Jesse ('Sex and the City's' Jason Lewis) the millions he is demanding as his just reward in their divorce settlement.
Moore's subplots add a level of humanity to the "Cop" in every "Serial Killer-Flick"; making her more of a person we can get emotionally involved in as she is sucked into the vortex of "Mr Brooks" & "Marshall's" insanity.
'Mr Brooks' has all the ingredients of a delightfully twisted, sleek thriller. (Just not as 5-Star sleek as it's clear predecessor "An American Psycho" (Christian Bale - SEE MY REVIEW !!!! ) - But 'Mr Brooks' still swoons us home with intelligent, versatile madness - with a bit of extra padding.
SEE THIS !!!! Pleasant Thrilling Surprise !!!!

One of the best movies of the year!

I cant believe that there wasn't more hype about this movie. This is one of the best movies of the year! There are so many good actors in it!

Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) has been voted Portland's Man of the Year. Unbeknownst to everyone, he's also the mysterious "Thumbprint Killer," a serial murderer who has been active on-and-off for a long time. Earl hasn't killed in two years, but the hunger, represented by his demonic alter-ego, Marshall (William Hurt), has become too strong to resist. So, after dropping his wife (Marg Helgenberger) home after the Man of the Year banquet, he goes out for a little extracurricular fun. This time, however, Earl makes an uncharacteristic mistake. The window drapes of his victims' apartment are open when he commits the murder, and a voyeur (Dane Cook) photographs him in the act. Meanwhile, police detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore), who has long investigated the Thumbprint Killer, suspects her previously infallible quarry may have slipped up.

Mr. Brooks handles the split personality by having two actors play facets of Earl's personality. Kevin Costner is the rational, intelligent, dominant one. William Hurt is the amoral, animalistic aspect, who goes by the name of Marshall. Most of the time, Earl is in control, but there are times when Marshall's promptings become too powerful to ignore. The interaction between these actors is fascinating to observe. Although they take place solely in Earl's mind, director Bruce A. Evans has dramatized them by freezing time around Earl and Marshall and letting the dialogue play out. The approach is off-putting at first, but it doesn't take long for the viewer to settle into the film's rhythm.

Five Stars!!!

This movie is stellar from EVERY angle. This is some of Costners best work in years. The entire cast, Hurt, Moore, Cook and even new comer Danielle Panabaker, are surprisingly phenomenal. From the beginning the movie is interesting and thrilling. It takes one turn, it gets more intense. Then POW! What a blow. A turn of events you didn’t see coming! Unless someone spilled (shame on them). The psychological torment is TRULY trilling. It has been a while since I have seen a masterpiece like this. The pace, is methodical. Just like the character Mr. Brooks. The actor Kevin Costner is someone you would never expect to play a killer, just like Mr. Brooks. The conscience played by William Hurt is amazing. The camera angles and lighting when he speaks are all tight and very close making it clear what happens in Mr. Books head and what is out loud. Brilliant Direction on the part of Bruce Evans to make this effective. Aditionally there are clear and consistent queues with the on off of the glass, pay attention and youll realize so much thought has gone into this. The story of Demi Moores characters divorce was really seemed to be no asset to the film and served only to make it a bit longer. In the end you realize why they did what they did but still, I agree with Creeper here, it seemed to be the one clumsy part of the script. That aside, I still found plenty here to love. Including one final surprise before the credits role. I believe you will enjoy it too. This is a must see in my book! Hope this is helpful!

A Jaw Dropping Film!

WOW WOW & WOW...This movie has it all, great script, great acting, suspense and best of all Demi Moore..Need I say more? Yes, ok!..Picture this, man of the year...he has a gorgeous Wife and a beautiful Daughter..he owns his own company and has money lots of money..he also has a split personality and another even bigger secret..he likes to kill..egged on by his dual personality played beautifully by William Hurt..he seeks out his victims with care..the shockers and twists will leave you squirming in your seat..Demi plays the rugged tough Cop out to get him..does she?? well, watch the movie and see..you'll be glad you did...I had never even heard of this film neither had my love or our Friend..for me the selling point was Demi, for them Demi and Kevin..but in truth this movie could sell itself with the storyline alone..a true treat for the suspense lover in everyone, even if you don't like suspene give this one a look see you wont be disappointed!

DVD Mr. Brooks

Kevin Costner plays against type, starring as a man caught in a deadly downward spiral -- and at war with his own alter ego -- in this psychological thriller. Demi Moore co-stars as a sharp-witted police detective whose passion for her job attracts the attention -- and respect -- of the very serial killer she's tracking.