Mr. Brooks is a first class thriller.  Yes, a little violent in parts but what really meaty thriller isn’t.  Kevin Costner, in a welcome return to the big screen, gives a mesmerizing performance as Mr. Brooks, owner of a packaging company who has a secret, dark side.  He is a man who is addicted to murder.  The feel, smell and taste of murder.

Throughout the film, Mr.Brooks darker side, Marshall (played beautifully by William Hurt) encourages him in all aspects of the deadly crimes.  Mr. Brooks enters group therapy for his addiction, talking in loose terms of his addiction to others in the session.  All the while his dark side is whispering in his ear.

Mr. Brooks is seen by a neighbour of his latest victims through an open window.  What is more, this neighbour has photographic evidence of the murders, which he presents to Mr. Brooks at his office.  Thinking the man wants money Mr. Brooks is surprised to learn the man wishes only to be allowed in on the next murder, with the view of committing his own murder one day.

So begins a twisted tale of cat and mouse between Mr. Brooks and the cunning neighbour.  Hot on their heels is Detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore), herself a fractured character.  This is one of those movies where you will think you have the ending all figured out, until the final twist.

~ Pam Heinrich