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- Kevin Costner as a Serial Killer in Mr. Brooks
- Mr. Brooks Allows Kevin Costner to Play Against Type in a Rare Dark Role
- Mr. Brooks’ Plot Threads Converge in a Clever Way
As a film enthusiast who’s spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of cinematic storytelling, I must say that Mr. Brooks is a hidden gem that deserves far more recognition than it received during its initial release. The movie offers a unique blend of suspense, drama, and dark comedy, making it an engaging experience for those who appreciate a well-crafted tale.
In the ’90s, moviegoers regularly encountered thrillers centered around serial killers. This could be an early sign of the public’s interest in true crime. These films captivated audiences with their intricate and disturbing storylines, villainous characters, and often a determined detective pursuing the case. Some notable examples include “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Se7en”. However, the era also produced lesser-known but equally compelling movies like “Kiss the Girls” and “The Bone Collector”.
As the new millennium began, these films started to lose their box office appeal and were not produced as often, but one stood out by providing a fresh take on the serial killer thriller genre. Released in 2007, Mr. Brooks featured an exceptional performance by Kevin Costner, portraying a character with a hidden desire to kill, and his inner voice was personified by William Hurt. This character urged him to indulge in his darkest impulses. Despite its modest box office success and mixed reviews from critics, the film has garnered a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its unique qualities. Unfortunately, the cult following for this underrated thriller should be larger because Mr. Brooks is truly a gem that deserves more recognition.
Kevin Costner as a Serial Killer in Mr. Brooks
Under the direction of Bruce A. Evans, who collaborated with Raynold Gideon on the script, the film titled Mr. Brooks delves into the life of Earl Brooks (Costner), a man who is both a successful businessman and loving family member during the day, but transforms into the infamous “Thumbprint Killer” at night. Earl grapples with an alternate persona, Marshall (Hurt), who tempts him to carry out killings that his ordinary self would normally resist.
In danger of being unveiled, Earl’s hidden life is threatened as an individual identifying himself as “Mister Smith” or Graves Baffert (played by Dane Cook) uses incriminating photos of Earl caught in the act of committing a crime to extort him. Instead of demanding money, Baffert proposes that Earl should train him in the art of the flawless assassination. The plot thickens as detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore) revisits Earl’s past murder cases, adding more complexity to the story. The cast also includes Marg Helgenberger and Danielle Panabaker.
Mr. Brooks Allows Kevin Costner to Play Against Type in a Rare Dark Role
In this role, Costner truly excelled, making Mr. Brooks his most notable performance. As an actor, he’s been consistent in portraying strong leading roles, but this character let him explore some complex and intriguing aspects. It’s Costner’s trustworthy, wholesome image that adds authenticity to the film’s dual nature. He convincingly plays a family man, deeply devoted to his wife Emma (Helgenberger) and their college-aged daughter Jane (Panabaker), while also exuding the air of a savvy and successful businessman.
You’re disarmed by him, which makes it all the more surprising when he has to showcase the darker aspects of his personality. He doesn’t play it with any scenery chewing, with him being particularly chilling because he’s so cold and meticulous about how he goes about his hidden life. It’s all very methodical, as it’s made clear during the film’s opening murder, which sees the actor coldly walking into the bedroom of a couple and gunning them down with calculated and expert-like precision. He’s a long way from Field of Dreams or The Bodyguard here, making this one of the most interesting performances of his career.
The struggle between his two identities, one of which is portrayed prominently in the film, sets it apart from other serial killer thrillers. Earl, a character grappling with an addiction and an unshakable compulsion, is hinted at by the text displayed prior to the movie: “The hunger has returned to Mr. Brooks’ brain. It never really left.” Additionally, Earl often recites the Serenity Prayer, which is significant in Alcoholics Anonymous gatherings: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” However, this prayer fails to tame Marshall, who embodies Earl’s darkest qualities.
In simpler terms, Marshall constantly drives Earl to his darkest impulses, suggesting an addiction for Marshall. At a certain point, Marshall admits that he lives through Earl, saying something along the lines of “I enjoy living. I enjoy eating, I enjoy making love, and I enjoy killing.” Earl and Marshall are inseparable, and as Earl tries to suppress this side of himself, he finds himself trapped in Baffert’s blackmail, which forces him to let Marshall continue existing. The most impactful scenes in the movie revolve around Costner and Hurt, displaying a complex dynamic that is both twisted and on the verge of respect. Earl seems to care for Marshall only because he can’t live without him, and Marshall cares for Earl because he helps him escape the monotony of his ordinary life.
The side stories surrounding Earl’s narrative are crucial, even though they may not be as detailed as Earl’s complex character. Comedian Dane Cook, who plays a role contrary to his usual comedic persona, does an excellent job portraying Baffert, a character who seems overly influenced by true-crime television and films, viewing murder as easy and tidy. His presence in the story goes beyond blackmail; it’s used to illustrate that some individuals have an innate need to kill (like Earl), while others try to deny it (like Baffert). Earl plays along with the blackmail until he learns how to use it against him. He’s always one step ahead, and though we as the audience know this, it’s engaging to see how Earl will flip the blackmail situation on its head.
Mr. Brooks’ Plot Threads Converge in a Clever Way
In these types of movies, Demi Moore plays a detective character that’s crucial but could use more depth to match Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling. There’s an unspoken bond between Earl and Tracy, with him admiring her detective skills despite her pursuit of him. Tracy is dealing with her fair share of troubles, from a contentious divorce to another serial killer, “The Hangman,” who has sworn to kill her. As the story reaches its climax, these storylines intertwine in an interesting manner. While the detective-serial killer dynamics aren’t as complex as in other films, they effectively contribute to the unique narrative this movie presents.
The movie titled “Mr. Brooks” hit theaters on June 1, 2007. Despite not being a complete bomb, it didn’t make a significant impact at the box office. The film earned a total of $48.1 million worldwide against a production budget of $20 million, with $28.5 million coming from domestic sales. In essence, while it wasn’t a complete flop, it failed to leave a lasting impression during its theatrical release. Critics were divided in their reviews, with the film receiving a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the consensus being that “The setup is interesting, but Mr. Brooks overloads itself with twists and subplots, becoming increasingly implausible as it progresses.” However, critics did acknowledge and praise the performances of Kevin Costner and Dwight Yoakam, considering them to be the film’s strongest points.
Over time, the film “Mr. Brooks” has amassed a devoted fan base, leaving many to wonder why they didn’t catch it during its first release. A testament to its popularity among viewers who have seen it is its 7.3/10 rating on IMDb, outperforming other financially successful serial killer films like “Kiss the Girls” (6.6/10), “The Bone Collector” (6.7/10), and “Hannibal” (6.8/10). “Mr. Brooks” offers a distinctive viewing experience, but unfortunately, Bruce Evans’ planned trilogy for the movie will probably never materialize due to its lack of initial success. Despite this setback, the film manages to break away from the norm in all the right places, showcasing a level of originality often lacking in the sub-genre. Unfortunately, at the moment, “Mr. Brooks” is not available for streaming.
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2024-11-10 06:02