Caffeinated Clint
An early look at Kevin Costner’s next
‘Uncle Jay’ was lucky enough to spend the night with Kevin Costner last night…. Or rather, spend the night watching Costner’s new film. Surprisingly, he said it’s quite a goodie…
Early Review : Mr Brooks
By ‘Uncle Jay’
last night (4/23/07), I was fortunate enough to
attend a private screening of “Mr. Brooks” in Ridgefield Park, NJ. The
audience was told that we were the first audience to see the film. So,
today I decided to write a review, because the film is very good, much
to my surprise.
First off, let me sat that I’ve always liked Kevin Costner. I pretty
much grew up with him in my teenage years, when he first burst onto the
big screen in the early ‘80s in films like “Fandango” and “Silverado.”
He became an instant star and even an Academy Award-winning director,
much to many Scorsese fans’ (like me) dismay (“Dances with Wolves” vs.
“GoodFellas” anyone?). I never thought he was a great actor but I did
think he did his job, although I believe his turn as a bad guy with a
heart in “A Perfect World” was brilliant and may be the performance of
his career. But as you know, the “Kevin Plague” erupted in the
mid-‘90s, when Kevin started to make huge box office duds…”Wyatt Earp”,
“Waterworld” and “The Postman” to name three of the crucial ones. I
don’t know what happened, (truthfully, I liked “Wyatt Earp” and “The
Postman”, but that’s just me), but I kind of felt sorry for the man.
The duds continued, but then Kevin proved to us that he still had
something left in 2003’s “Open Range,” one of the best films that year.
Now, I believe Mr. Costner will make a triumphant return because “Mr
Brooks,” his new thriller, is very, very good.
Mr. Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) is the Man of the Year. He’s a very
wealthy and successful business owner of a company that creates boxes
for goods around the world, as well as being a noble husband and
father. Mr. Brooks is also the Thumbprint Killer, Oregon’s famous,
untouchable serial killer that hasn’t struck in two years. Earl often
talks to his imaginary alter ego, Marshall (a superb William Hurt), and
together they make the perfect murderer. ‘Marshall’ talks Earl into
making his return, only this time, things get a little more deeper as
Earl makes an unlikely error. Enter Mr. Smith (Dane Cook), a
twenty-something mechanical engineer that sometimes takes perverted
photographs of his neighbors in the building across the street. These
neighbors happen to be the next victims of Mr. Brooks, hence, Smith
having blackmail material due to the error I mentioned earlier.
However, Smith doesn’t want money, Mr. Smith wants the experience of a
professional killer in action, he wants to help Mr. Brooks with his
next victim. As this causes inconvenience for Earl, due to the fact
that he truly wants to stop killing (but ‘Marshall’ doesn’t), Earl also
has problems at home, as he discovers that his daughter (Danielle
Panabaker) may or may not have viciously murdered someone at her
college…and the plot thickens. Also in the mix is Detective Tracy
Atwood (a solid Demi Moore), a brilliant cop who has been investigating
the Thumbprint killings obsessively, to the point where she knows his
technique thoroughly, although Tracy has problems of her own that
interfere with her work: a awful greed-filled divorce and (in a
subplot) an ex-convict she put away, stalking her for revenge.
“Mr. Brooks” is not your average, dark psycho thriller ala “Silence of
the Lambs” or “Seven.” “Mr. Brooks” is a smart character study of an
unlikely serial killer, and how he deals with his sticky situations
with his psychotic ways. Cleverly written and masterfully done. It was
really interesting how Earl shows Smith the smart way to kill someone,
it’s actually very creepy. The plot points are very interesting and the
film isn’t predictable as one would think, and I was glad it didn’t go
the route that most of these thrillers of today go. It simply has a
satisfying end that is believable and smart. Costner turns in a
terrific performance, his best since “A Perfect World.” William Hurt
gives yet another exceptional performance that could snag him another
Oscar-nod (in vein of his last nod for “A History of Violence”). It was
good to see Demi Moore again, and she gives a stern performance as the
obsessed, yet confused cop. And Dane Cook, I must admit held his own as
well. I had reservations about him before I saw this, thinking that
maybe he’d screw the flick up and be some sort of unecessary comic
relief, but the film holds him well, and turns in a surprisingly
convincing performance. I was glad to see that.
I think “Mr. Brooks” will please fans of this genre, simply for its
intriguing story and nicely executed filmmaking, a definite giant leap
for writer/director Bruce A. Evans, whose last (and first) directorial
effort was the turdbomb “Kuffs” 15 years ago. It’s a smart film, and a
nice departure from the junk-thrillers we’ve been seeing lately. We
could very well see the return of Costner here, and quite possibly,
Evans.
“Mr. Brooks” is a different, effective and well-done serial killer
flick.
Sure to be one of the best of the year!
* * * 1/2 (out of 4)
-Uncle Jay
P.S.: After the screening, I filled out the questonaire they hand you,
and I couldn’t help to overhear the positive responses. A good sign.
