There is an actual brain at work here, and it feels refreshing.
2 Comments
05/31/07
Mr. Brooks (2007)
56
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:149
Fresh:83
Rotten:66
Average Rating:5.7/10
Consensus: The setup is intriguing, but Mr. Brooks overstuffs itself with twists and subplots, becoming more preposterous as it goes along.
Rated: 18 [See Full Rating]
Runtime: 2 hrs
Genre: Detectives, Switching Roles, Thriller, Murder, Theatrical Release, Crime, Serial Killers
Theatrical Release:12-10-2007
Synopsis: Kevin Costner stars as Earl Brooks, a man whose seemingly perfect family and status in the community hide an ugly secret. Brooks constantly says the plea of an addict--the Serenity Prayer--but he's... [More]
Starring: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Demi Moore, Dane Cook
Director: Bruce A. Evans
Reviews for Mr. Brooks
Here are two things to know about Mr. Brooks going in: 1) Demi Moore plays a millionaire cop, and 2) that's one of the less ludicrous elements.
05/31/07
What compels isn't the overwrought plot, but the simpler things, the dynamics between the actors, the avuncularity between old pros Costner and Hurt and the class condescension between Costner and Cook. It has a fascinatin' rhythm.
05/31/07
Slickly shot, coolly edited, oozing dark, deadpan humor, Mr. Brooks finds Costner at the top of his game. His moves are subtle, his expressions flat, his emotions clamped down, contained.
05/31/07
I think Waterworld 2 might have been a smarter career move.
05/31/07
Mr. Brooks proves an unusual, occasionally awkward blend of suspense, drama and camp that's surprisingly fun.
05/31/07
This is one of those slick, violent, ridiculous Hollywood jobs that make little sense as a story, a comment on life, or a depiction of characters, but are moderately enjoyable in their spinning of movie conventions.
05/31/07
If you broke down Mr. Brooks in terms of structure, twists and momentum, you might give it high marks. The thing does move. To where is the problem.
05/31/07
The movie has the air of a project that kicked around Hollywood for years earning periodic praise from bleary-eyed script readers duped by its labored quirkiness and from former matinee idols eager to reinvent themselves as brooding method actors.
05/31/07
Mr. Brooks begins promisingly, but it grows steadily more preposterous as it goes along, becoming the first feel-good serial-killer movie.
05/31/07
There's so much unexamined rage in Mr. Brooks that the movie plays like a training video for psychotherapists.
05/31/07
The film is overburdened with plot elements (yet misses various continuity details).
05/31/07
What's interesting in Evans's approach is the low-key expression of [a] classic concept.
05/31/07
If ever a movie epitomized the term 'overplotted,' it is Mr. Brooks.
05/31/07
Ever wondered why movies made in Hollywood seem to appeal to increasingly dumber audiences? Buy a ticket to Mr. Brooks to become part of the intellectually diminished population that studio execs lower their standards to appease.
05/31/07
Smart, funny and wicked... a combination I would pay to see. Mr. Brooks may not want to be bad, but with the devilishly cruel Marshall by his side, he's oh so good at it.
05/30/07
The pretzel-like personality of Brooks is expertly weaved and salted with just a hint of compassion to evoke an odd sort of understanding from the viewers.
05/30/07
Mr. Brooks is one deliriously ridiculous movie, and a bona fide contender for status as a camp classic.
05/30/07
When your best character is a serial killer‘s imaginary friend, you know your movie‘s in trouble.
05/30/07
"Mr. Brooks" never fails as compelling drama, but it's far too busy to ever settle into a coherent focus.
05/30/07
Latest News for Mr. Brooks
October 23, 2007:
RT on DVD: Hostel II Oozes Onto Shelves, and Criterion Serves Up Breathless!
It's a bit of a slow week for home video releases, led by Eli Roth's torture-for-hire gore fest (Hostel II). Thankfully, Criterion has another wave of beautifully restored... More...
June 21, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Evan Shall Lead the Way
Universal looks to score its first number one hit in nearly a year this weekend with the new Steve Carell comedy "Evan Almighty" which hits the multiplexes on Friday... More...
June 17, 2007:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: "Fantastic Four" Clobbers Box Office Foes
Fox scored its first number one hit in five months with "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" which grossed an estimated $57.4M on its opening weekend, tripling... More...
June 10, 2007:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: "13" Hits #1 But With Worst "Ocean"'s Opening
Hollywood served up more of the same dishes and moviegoers said enough is enough and found their weekend entertainment elsewhere. The latest star-studded heist sequel... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds