RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Mr. Brooks
Mr. Brooks

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Mr. Brooks (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
56 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

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.

Runtime: 2 hrs

Genre: Detectives, Switching Roles, Thriller, Murder, Crime, Serial Killers, Theatrical Release

US Box Office: $28,424,648

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... 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 not in the grip of drugs or alcohol. Instead, his neat little bow tie belies a man with an urge to kill. Though he's staved off that desire for two years, it has returned thanks to the efforts of his evil inner voice (William Hurt, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE). He is caught in the act by a man who calls himself Mr. Smith (Dane Cook, EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH), but Mr. Smith doesn't want to turn Brooks in. The smarmy amateur photographer wants to learn from Brooks's methodical ways and become a killer himself. Meanwhile, a tough cop (Demi Moore, BOBBY) hunts for the man responsible for deaths all over Portland while she deals with issues in her own life. MR. BROOKS presents a fascinating portrait of a man at war with himself. As the devil on Brooks's shoulder, Oscar winner Hurt adeptly alternates between menace and glee, adding to a resume already replete with varied roles. Though Costner is mostly known for playing nice guys (FIELD OF DREAMS) and charming rogues (BULL DURHAM), his performance as the tortured killer is interesting to watch, and he rises to the challenge of playing a completely different character than the kind he is known for. MR. BROOKS is an engaging thriller that goes into the fractured mind of a murderer, while also delivering an intriguing maze of multiple subplots. [More]

Starring: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Demi Moore, Dane Cook

Starring: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, Marg Helgenberger, Jason Lewis, Yasmine Delawari, Michael Cole

Director: Bruce A. Evans

Director: Bruce A. Evans
Screenwriter: Bruce A. Evans, Raynold Gideon
Producer: Kevin Costner, Raynold Gideon, Jim Wilson
Studio: MGM

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
    "Killer's Explanation"
    >
    Demi Moore
    >
    Marg Helenberger
    >
  • Kevin Costner
    >
1 - 4 of 5

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Mr. Brooks

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
121 - 140 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

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.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
05/31/07
Keith Phipps
Keith Phipps
AV Club

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.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment 1 Comment
05/31/07
Stephen Hunter
Stephen Hunter
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
05/31/07
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

I think Waterworld 2 might have been a smarter career move.

Full Review Source: Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) | comment Comment
05/31/07
Josh Larsen
Josh Larsen
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL)

Mr. Brooks proves an unusual, occasionally awkward blend of suspense, drama and camp that's surprisingly fun.

Full Review Source: EDGE Boston | comment Comment
05/31/07
David Foucher
David Foucher
EDGE Boston

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.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
05/31/07
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

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.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
05/31/07
Mark Caro
Mark Caro
Chicago Tribune

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.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
05/31/07
Scott Foundas
Scott Foundas
L.A. Weekly

Mr. Brooks begins promisingly, but it grows steadily more preposterous as it goes along, becoming the first feel-good serial-killer movie.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
05/31/07
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

There's so much unexamined rage in Mr. Brooks that the movie plays like a training video for psychotherapists.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
05/31/07
Matt Pais
Matt Pais
Metromix.com

The film is overburdened with plot elements (yet misses various continuity details).

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment 2 Comments
05/31/07
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

What's interesting in Evans's approach is the low-key expression of [a] classic concept.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles CityBeat | comment Comment
05/31/07
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

If ever a movie epitomized the term 'overplotted,' it is Mr. Brooks.

Full Review Source: FulvueDrive-in.com | comment Comment
05/31/07
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
05/31/07
Screen International
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment 2 Comments
05/31/07
Cole Haddon
Cole Haddon
Orlando Weekly

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.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
05/30/07
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

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.

Full Review Source: ReviewExpress.com | comment Comment
05/30/07
Diana Saenger
Diana Saenger
ReviewExpress.com

Mr. Brooks is one deliriously ridiculous movie, and a bona fide contender for status as a camp classic.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
05/30/07
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Slant Magazine

When your best character is a serial killer‘s imaginary friend, you know your movie‘s in trouble.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
05/30/07
David Germain
David Germain
Associated Press

"Mr. Brooks" never fails as compelling drama, but it's far too busy to ever settle into a coherent focus.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
05/30/07
Phil Villarreal
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
 
 
121 - 140 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
all

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...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

89% 89% Up in the Air 14/1
— The Tooth Fairy 14/1
— Bran Nue Dae 14/1

What’s Hot On RT

100 Greatest

100 Greatest

The best characters of 2000-2009

2010's Biggest Films

2010's Biggest Films

We preview all the new year's major releases

Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia

Go behind the scenes with this new clip

Inception Trailer

Inception Trailer

See the new trailer for Chris Nolan's...

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • James Cameron on Avatar: "There'll Be Another" Source: Ain't It Cool News
118
  • George Lucas Talks Star Wars Source: Collider.com
23
  • Spider-Man 4: A Sequel in Search of a Script Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
76
  • Sam Mendes in Discussions for Bond 23 Source: Los Angeles Times
34
  • Christopher Lee, Heavy Metal Rock God Source: Videogum
5
  • Weekly Ketchup: Annual Ketchup Edition
74
  • Harold Ramis Discusses Filmography, Teases Ghostbusters 3 Source: Heeb Magazine
16
  • National Film Registry Adds 2009 Selections Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • New Moon Tops Moviefone's 2009 List Source: Hollywood Reporter
30
  • Star Trek Tops 2009's Most-Pirated Movies List Source: Hollywood Reporter
19
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Awards Tour: 2010 People's Choice Awards Winners!
255
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Continues Its Run In 2010
231
  • Rotten Tomatoes Is Joining Forces With Flixster!
52
  • Awards Tour: Directors Guild Association Announces Nominees
43
  • Weekly Ketchup: Annual Ketchup Edition
37
  • Awards Tour: The Hurt Locker Wins Big At National Society of Film Critics Awards
37
  • Critics Consensus: Daybreakers Has Bite
37
  • Friday Harvest: Eclipse, Robin Hood, and more!
31
  • Awards Tour: Producers Guild Announces Nominees
25
  • Total Recall: Amy Adams' Best Movies
24
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
76
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
22
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
24
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
16
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Mr. Brooks at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Mr. Brooks at IGN
  • Mr. Brooks at AskMen

Fresh Links

Featured
40 Best Films of the 2000s
40 Best Films of the 2000s External Link

Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!

Competitions
Win Funny People on DVD
Win Funny People on DVD External Link

We're giving away copies of Judd Apatow's latest.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo
About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2010, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.