Mr. Brooks

Successful businessman, honored philanthropist, devoted husband, loving father—Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) would seem to be the perfect guy. In fact, he has only one weakness, but it's a whopper: he's a devilishly clever serial killer who plots his crimes with the aid of his cunning alter ego, Marshall (William Hurt). Mr. Brooks' normally flawless modus operandi has kept him safe up to now, but despite the usual precautions his latest murder is observed by a sleazy amateur photographer named Smith (Dane Cook), but instead of turning his photos over to tenacious detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore)—who is canvassing the neighborhood for potential witnesses—Smith tries to blackmail Brooks into letting him tag along for the next murder. Directed and co-written by Bruce Evans, this is an intricate thriller packed with surprising plot twists (a few superfluous but most quite ingenious), shockingly graphic violence, and small flourishes of black comedy (Evans establishes a sardonic tone early on that most successfully manifests itself in the exchanges between Brooks and Marshall—which, of course, take place in Brooks' mind). Mr. Brooks will strike some as overly self-aware, but it's also a rare Hollywood film that actually appeals to adult sensibilities…and Kevin Costner's a serial killer! Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Bruce A. Evans and co-writer/producer Raynold Gideon, an “On the Set of Mr. Brooks” featurette (10 min.), “Murder on Their Minds: Mr. Brooks, Marshall, and Mr. Smith” on the three main characters (9 min.), “The Birth of a Serial Killer” on writing the story (7 min.), six deleted scenes (6 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a weird but mostly winning film.] (E. Hulse)