Mr. Brooks (R, 2007)

common sense media says

Costner's delusional serial killer isn't for kids.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this graphic thriller isn't for kids, despite the fact that popular comedian Dane Cook co-stars (he plays a dark, repulsive character). There's graphic sex (breasts are visible, and plenty of activity is implied) and violence, including frantic murder scenes (victims realize they're about to be killed, scream, then suffer brutal injuries). Shots of broken, bloody dead bodies abound in crime scene tableaus and close-ups. Characters discuss murder and its motives and argue about family relationships (especially fathers and daughters). Language includes frequent use of "f--k."

Positive messages: The protagonist is a serial killer; detective character is getting a divorce and has arguments with lawyers; college student drops out and announces she's pregnant (leads to discussion of abortion); discussion of genetic "passing on" of desire to murder.
Violence: Bloody, graphic early murder scene (two people in bed are shot by the film's "hero," who puts bullets through their heads and chests) is repeated during the film from various angles in flashbacks. Killer keeps photos of dead bodies as "trophies" frequent discussion of methods of murder and images of stalking; discussions of other serial killer cases; crime scene shows blood on walls; detective is assaulted and ends up with sutures (bloody); dead body is pierced by multiple needles; shootout between detective and killer. Grisly late scene shows a man stabbed in neck with scissors, gasping, bleeding, and lurching as he dies.
Sex: Serial killer's victims are shown in the middle of sex, in bed (naked back) -- their deaths result in explicit views of their naked torsos (woman's breasts visible repeatedly). Lots of cleavage shots. Discussion of sexual experiences ("You could see her nipples"). Killer appears naked (not explicit) as he ritually burns photos of dead bodies. A murder witness plans to use violent images to arouse himself sexually. Man appears in his bedroom in boxers; couple strips to their underwear and begins to have sex on a couch.
Language: Repeated use of "f--k" (usually in anger, once with "mother"); other language includes "s--t," "a--hole," "goddamnit," and "ass."
Consumerism: USA Today headline.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Killer attends meetings resembling Alcoholics Anonymous, identifying himself as an "addict." Meeting attendees smoke cigarettes; mention of steroids.

More on Mr. Brooks

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about our culture's fascination with serial killers. Do you think the media glamorizes these criminals and their brutal crimes? Does Mr. Brooks have anything in common with another famous movie serial killer, Hannibal Lecter? Families can also discuss the film's suggestion that murder can be "addictive." Do you think a tendency toward violence (or other addictions) can be passed on genetically? How does the film make its killer protagonist look relatively sympathetic? How does the movie frame the murders as art?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) knows he has a problem. He believes he's addicted to killing, which he's apparently been doing for years. It helps that he's a wealthy businessman, which gives him both the leisure time to plan and execute his perfect crimes and access to all kinds of transportation and equipment. His whole life is arranged to cover up his "hobby" from his wife, Emma (Marg Helgenberger) and daughter, Jane Jane (Danielle Panabaker). But there's another side to MR. BROOKS -- Earl has regular conversations with an alter ego named Marshall (William Hurt). The two share entertaining, even charming contemplations of their methods and drives. When Earl leaves a bedroom curtain open, one of his crimes is photographed by the utterly slimy Mr. Smith (Dane Cook). Earl's problems multiply when he learns he's being pursued by a detective, Tracy (Demi Moore), who's very good at what she does but is also battling her own demons. That her troubles involve her wealthy father creates an alternately clunky and nuanced parallel to Earl's increasingly fraught relationship with Jane -- especially when it turns out that his daughter decides to leave college not just because she's pregnant, but also because a young man she knows has been murdered. As Earl contemplates the possibility that "she has what I have," he also struggles to rid himself of both Smith and Tracy, stylishly and efficiently.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Director Bruce A. Evans' second movie (after the teen comedy Kuffs) is uneven and contrived, but the mutual admiration club formed by Costner and Hurt offers smart, taut comedy in the midst of some grim commentary on the impulse to consume violence. While the movie doesn't exactly break new ground by indicting viewers (who are aligned, at least initially, with Smith), it does make your inclination to identify with Earl aptly uncomfortable.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Bruce A. Evans
Cast: Dane Cook, Kevin Costner, William Hurt
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: May 31, 2007
DVD release: October 23, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, nudity and language.
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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

17

Most useful reviews by all members

tallguy
adult
 
Numb...Not shocked but numb
There were so many big names in this movie it couldn't help but be a success. That being said the graphic violence was over the top and the nude scenes may have been neccesary for the plot but it seemed a bit excessive. In this day and age we have become numb to all the gore and nudity that parades our screens. This movie could have used some creative direction to avoid what this viewer believes is unneccesary scenes. What I call shock scenes. Don't let your kids see this. I don't even want my mom to see it and I am 45 years old. It's too bad because even though this is a dark movie it is cleverly written.

bamcis
adult
 
Hooray for the bad guy!
I'm in no way a fan of "Killer/ Thriller" type movies, but this one is different. I won't give it away, but you end up rooting for the psychotic, murder addicted, serial killer (Kevin Costner), but not at the expense of the dedicated detectives plight (Demi Moore).

 
My most fav movie <3
This movie is my most fav of all time. It is clever and keeps you engrossed in the characters and movie. You just cannot predict wat is going to happen and Kevin does a great job as portraying Mr Brooks. It had it two hands down. William Hurt did a brilliant job as well in the small part. A lil graphic but then it just adds to the suspense of movie and extremely well played out as well as written <3 Just brilliant.

SMSx523
teen, 18 years old
 
Really Smart Movie
I was pleasantly surprised at Mr. Brooks, at first I was alittle biased because honestly in my opinion I do not think Kevin Costner is a talented actor. What I liked about the movie is that it accurately displays the 2 types of psychopaths on the MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical Scales. I also was impressed with Dane Cooks acting abilities, he portrayed a believable psychopath. Anyways the movie does show some nudity, and it does have some scenes of violence, overall though it wasn't too overdone with violence and sex, like alot of movies are.

 
A very dark, complex movie
This is my new favorite movie. The only things to worry about is that there is one very explicit sex scene in which a woman is seen thrusting on top of a man and screaming. The scene I mentioned does contain graphic nudity.

 
too gory
This is a well-acted movie. I think it would have been just as good if the blood and gore were left out.

 
Smart but very violent
This was a well-acted movie and very smart. An extremely different role for Kevin Costner. It entertained my husband and I and we liked all the thinking done by the characters, but I would never let my kids see it. It was creepy and had cover-my-eyes scenes of violence.

 
Oh geez
The movie would have been great, but it was one rock skip away from pure porno in the sex scene! There was nothing left to the imagination in the sex scene except for male genitalia but you could clearly see it was all the way in the female. This was soft porn and that's all there is to it! It should not be viewed by anyone under 18! It shouldn't have to be viewed at all!

moviefan333
teen, 17 years old
 
Surprisingly graphic...and surprisingly good.
First off, this movie was very, very graphic. The rating info says this movie is for people ages 16+, and I'm younger than that, so I have to say that this was not for kids my age. But however, I liked it. It had some very good scares, and few intense fights now and then, and very unpredictable twists and turns and thrills. The plot was wholey original, and it really stands out not being a sequel. It stands alone. Now, the sex wasn't that big of an issue...inbetween the || and off signs. It was graphic, nonetheless. We see bare breasts and thrusting. The violence was very graphic. Throats slashed. Gunshots to the head. Wounds. Spraying, spurting, and literally pouring blood from being stabbed or slashed at the neck. In one scene, we see the entire process of blood being lost at the neck from being stabbed with scissors. Blood constantly pours...gets on the walls, the man's body...everywhere. Then we see the light leave his eyes. There were over 30 F-words and its derivatives, and a lot of S-words and other milder terms (B-words, D-words, H-words, A-words, etc.) ***** out of ***** stars. 10/10. Graphic. Thrilling. Intense. Frightening. Bloody. Sexy.

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