Mr. Brooks on DVD (2007)

Brilliantly different...

PaulaWestwood from Ashton-Under-Lyne [Highly rated reviewer] , 27/10/2007

This could have been so 'samey', but was so sparklingly different instead, I really expected a normal 'good' Costner film, but this had real interest intreague and differences. Costner plays Mr Brooks, a wealthy highly respected businessman, with a dark side. William Hurt as Marshall, is brilliantly cast and written as Mr Brooks dark side incarnate, the black side others cant see but is a completely real companion to Mr Brooks, the devil inside him urging him to embrace the side of him that enjoys murder, despite his resistance. But that is not all there is to this one, there is a good deal more, and all of it fascinatingly entertaining and watchable. One very small gripe (very small) the ending is a bit frayed and not quite satisfying enough... that said, I would very highly recommend this film, its certainly well above a regular movie, really good stuff.

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One of the best films of 2007

Georgevader from Chepstow [Highly rated reviewer] , 21/08/2007

Kevin Costner (remember him?) stars as Earl Brooks, a highly respected local businessman man, loving Husband and Father, who hides a dark secret, a psychofrenic urge to kill.The urge proves too much and when he kills two lovers in their apartment he is seen and caught on film at the scene by a sleezy photographer.The photographer (Dane Cook) though doesn't turn him into the Police or blackmail him though, he wants to learn to kill like Brooks and experience the 'thrill' first hand.

Costner is superb in this film and proves something that we tend to forget, what a very, very good actor he is.Equally good is the reliable William Hurt as Marshal, Mr Brook's alter-ego, this was a great idea for the film as they discussed how they would solve issues and problems together in Mr Brook's life.Supporting cast too is a fine one, Demi Moore (remember her?) is good as the Cop pursuing the killer, CSI Vegas' Marg Heldenberger stars as Mr Brooks oblivious Wife, though I felt her character took a back seat during the second half of the movie.The lovely Reiko Aylesworth of 24 also puts in an appearance as the lawyer out to screw Demi Moore in a divorce proceedings against her money grabbing ex-husband.

The script is clever and intelligent with a good dose of black humour and some neat twists, including one all mighty one at the end!!!

Highly recommended.

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A serial killer film with a difference

JJTimothy from Chilton, County Durham [Highly rated reviewer] , 22/10/2007

Earl Brooks is a successful businessman, loving patriarch and killer encouraged by an imaginary friend called Marshall. A mistake one murderous night exposes him to a shady photographer but the blackmailer doesn't want money.

There was always some bafflement about Kevin Costner's popularity even during his heyday, which I admit sharing, but he was interesting when he shook off his innate wholesomeness in such films as No Way Out or Tin Cup. There was fire in his eyes as a killer on the run in A Perfect World and it flickered again recently in Open Range. Here that fire blazes and Costner commands, and holds, the attention without being flashy in a turn that merits recognition from Oscar.

Dane Cook is good as the twitchy photographer and would-be killer, playing with fire by compelling Brooks to act as mentor, and Demi Moore is OK as the detective with too much back-story but this is Costner's show and, with William Hurt embodying Marshall the devil at his shoulder, he runs with it. Costner's rapport with Hurt, when Brooks relaxes into his true nature, is darkly funny and the highlight of the film but Brooks is a rounded and consistent character. Intelligent, insightful, adoring his family (Costner's wholesome image well used) and worrying about his 'addiction' even going to AA meetings in an attempt to keep it under control. He's not so concerned that he'll turn himself in mind you but perhaps his error was a subconscious attempt to be caught. At the suggestion that his daughter may have inherited his aberrant appetites Brooks is reduced to tears of despair in a believable and even sympathetic scene but his quick recovery is telling and the film does not offer this, or anything else, as excuse or redemption.

Mr. Brooks is the sort of film that cannot afford to be tentative- it's politically incorrect (which I can live with) and, without its considered approach, would be hard to justify morally. Bruce A. Evans' direction is sure-footed observing horrors without revelling in or glorifying them though he does let a shoot-out go to his head rather. The cat and mouse game implied by the trailer is absent but Evans and co-writer Reynold Gideon have created a bolder, more involving story. My mother worked with a few homicidal schizophrenics in her day, as a mental health professional I hasten to point out, and when she saw the film pronounced it entirely plausible which is going to keep me awake nights. (She's discreet about details but Brooks reminded her of 'Paul' who was widely liked by institution staff- as were all such patients apparently apart from one fellow who had terrible manners. Well... good manners are important!)

An audacious, off-beat character study legitimized by its authenticity and built around a committed (hah!) central performance. With black humour and a warped point of view Mr. Brooks is recommended to viewers with robust sensibilities. Now... has anyone checked if Reynold Gideon actually exists?

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Exceptional

A customer from Devon , 11/02/2008

Edge-of-the -seat- tension; twisty clever plot; strong characterization and some amazing performances from Kevin Costner as the dedicated family man; William Hurt as his psychological dark 'demon' (with scary syncronized laughter) ; Demi Moore as the stroppy cop with her own 'demons' and Dane Cook as the hapless and seedy voyeur. Add to this menace from yet another quarter and well......Totally brilliant !!

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A GRIPING FILM

bomberberdier from Blackpool [Highly rated reviewer] , 09/07/2008

One of the best films I've seen for ages had me and my wife sat on the edge of our chairs,So many twists and turns in the plot full of tension.First rate acting a film NOT TO BE MISSED.

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No more

timebandit from Bridgend , 11/09/2008

Why do I still carry on making the mistake of renting a Demi Bore film.

This film is horrendous

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