MR BROOKS
US, 2007, 120 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, William Hurt, Marg Helgenberger, Ruben Santiago- Hudson, Danielle Panabaker, Lindsay Crouse, Jason Lewis.
Directed by Bruce A. Evans.
For many years it has been fashionable for critics to rubbish Kevin Costner (overlooking his performances in such small films as The Upside of Anger). Mr Brooks has critics praising him – and stating that the screen persona that they have not liked is perfect for this film, presenting a smooth and charming front.
Costner is certainly good as Mr Brooks. From the first moment, we realise that there is something wrong psychologically with him as he talks to himself in a mirror. Actually, he is talking with his other self, an alter ego played with evil bemusement by William Hurt. Costner is Earl Brooks. Hurt is Marshall. Together they combine into the psychopathic Mr Brooks, a millionaire serial killer who is expert at covering his tracks, especially after his discussions with Marshall. Soon there is a brutal murder. Earl says it will be his last. Marshall knows better.
Earl’s social life is prosperous. His factory and business are booming. He has a charming wife (Marg Helgenberger) who does not suspect anything and an attractive daughter (Danielle Panabaker) who soon manifests a strong will and a desire to take over from her father.
Meanwhile, a harassed detective, going through a messy divorce because she is, in fact, a millionaire and her ex-husband and lawyer are after all they can get, is upset because a killer she arrested has escaped and is after her. She also gets caught up in the serial killer case. It is good to see Demi Moore back on the screen and she plays tough as the detective.
The plot certainly thickens and becomes quite complex, especially as Earl (not Marshall) admires the detective and is keen to help her. This becomes possible when he encounters the escapee. It becomes even more interesting because an amateur photographer (Dane Cook) has evidence on Mr Brooks and, as blackmailing fee, wants to go along to participate in a murder. Marshall does not think this is a good idea either but Mr Brooks very cleverly outwits the blackmailer, the detective and Marshall.
This is an intelligent thriller with clever dialogue and plotting (a tricky dream at the end as harbinger of what is to come) and effective performances.
1.The impact of the film, as a drama, thriller, police investigation?
2.The background of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Updated for the 21st century? The smooth appearance of Mr Brooks? Marshall as his inner self, the split, the evil of murder, the addiction to killing?
3.The Portland settings, the lavish home, Mr Brooks’ laboratory, the apartments, the police precincts, the streets, the car chases? Night and day? A world of shadows? The musical score?
4.The title and the focus, Kevin Costner playing against type, his smooth Mr Brooks looking like his previous performances? The inner evil? His conscience struggles? The effect of Kevin Costner in this role?
5.The prologue, Mr Brooks as Man of the Year, the banquet, his stance in the toilet, watching himself in the mirror, his voice-over, praying the Serenity prayer? The struggles with his conscience and addiction? Marshall’s appearance, William Hurt’s style? Their conversations? Mr Brooks and his wife, the competence, his company, the speech, the jokes? The travel home, Marshall persuading him to stop, stalking the dancers? The consequences?
6.The character of Marshall, his appearance, dialogue only with Mr Brooks, his moral perspective, always daring, the evil, coaxing Mr Brooks? The alter-ego of the surface of Mr Brooks’ respectability? The tone, the characteristics, the contrast with the evil awareness? The issues of conscience, addiction? Mr Brooks saying he wanted to stop – and Marshall saying that he really wanted to continue?
7.The stalking, the preparation, the skill in getting into the apartment, the set-up, watching, the shooting, closing the blinds, the clean-up, the burning of his clothes, watching the photos, burning them at Marshall’s urging? Resuming normality?
8.Earl Brooks as normal, Emma as ordinary, Jane and her study? The nice family? Her arrival home, dropping out, her lies, the pregnancy, her explanation, wanting a job, to take over the company, supporting her father? Her mother’s attitude, the quarrels? Earl and his smooth discussions with her, Marshall being shrewd and knowing what was happening? The visit of the police, the revelation of the murder, Jane’s guilt, inheriting Earl’s evil? Earl and his decision to save his daughter, travelling and his disguise, the second murder? Her being free? His nightmare and her killing him and putting on his glasses? An indication of her future behaviour? His discussions about Jane’s morality with Marshall? His awareness that he could be a victim?
9.Mr Smith coming to the office, the photos, the blackmail, the plan, the deal? Marshall and his observations about Mr Smith? The first attempt at the murder, the rain, Marshall and Earl watching him, tooting the horn? The stalking? The second episode? Mr Smith and his road rage? Seeing the victim, his having to memorise the numberplate and failing? Mr Brooks seeing the Hangman? His change of plan? Contacting Smith? Smith as a character, in himself, his motivations, watching (**wanting?) to be present at a murder, his comments about the victims? Atwood and her discussions with him? The questions? His lies? Atwood seeing him at the car, the newspaper and Earl’s message? The final plan, going into the apartment, the urine, the DNA possibilities? Mr Smith and his inability to think through things? Earl and his plan, the murders, going to the cemetery, urging Mr Smith to shoot him, interfering with the gun in case he changed his mind, killing Mr Smith, burying him? Letting Mr Smith get the glory – and the blame?
10.Tracy Atwood, Demi Moore in this role? At work, skill in detection, tough, her moneyed background, the marriages, the divorce, the discussions with the lawyers? Jesse and his claims, his relationship with his lawyer? Tracy saying she wanted him dead? Meeting her own lawyer, the raising of the money? The pressure from Captain Lister, that the divorce settlement go through quickly? Lister giving her three days to solve problems? The pressure? Hawkins as her partner, their work together? Her hunch about Mr Smith, following him? The murder of Jesse and the lawyer, her being under suspicion? Her being abducted by the Hangman, the tough attitude, fighting, getting out of the van? The search in Smith’s room, finding the address for the furniture being moved? The irony of it being the Hangman’s address, Brooks setting this up? The confrontation with the Hangman and his girlfriend, the shooting, the death? The solving of the mystery? The solving of the thumbprint murders? The final phone call, discussions with Brooks, his asking her about her motivation for becoming a policewoman, his being satisfied of her being independent and being herself? Her explanation that her father wanted a boy and her trying to measure up?
11.Earl and Smith, the stalking, the road rage, the Hangman? Earl and his interest in Tracy Atwood? Googling information, admiring her, the discussions with Marshall? His helping her by killing her ex-husband, the lawyer, setting up the Hangman?
12.Brooks and his disguise going to Paolo Alto, committing the other murder, getting back to home as if nothing happened? The discussions with Jane?
13.The build-up to the ending, Emma and the discussions with Jane, the arguments with Marshall, the cemetery and his changing his plan, killing Smith?
14.The nightmare, Jane brutally killing him – and his waking up?
15.The final phone call – and the thumbprint killer case still being open?
