Mr. Brooks

“Mr. Brooks” is a neat blend of satire and suspense that nearly overcomes its greatest flaw, a ridiculous subplot with Demi Moore as a rich woman turned cop. The object of the film’s loving attention is Mr. Brooks (Kevin Costner), a cardboard box mogul, faithful family man and addicted serial killer. Brooks keeps ongoing conversations with his personal demon (William Hurt) that leads him to his latest kill, which he subconsciously botches by leaving the curtains open before pulling the trigger on a young couple in flagrante. A peeping tom neighbor, Mr. Smith (Dane Cook), gets the image on film, and leverages the evidence so that Mr. Brooks will take him along with him on his next kill. Homicide investigator Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore) is hot on Smith’s trail as a witness, while running from a recently released killer attempting to punch her ticket. The film is a smart look into the addicted mind of a stealthy serial killer, who happens to be a highly functional man capable of compartmentalizing nearly every aspect of his perfect capitalist existence.

Rated R. 120 mins. (B-) (Three Stars)