In Bruce Evans Mr. Brooks we are introduced to the titular character as he is receiving recognition as Portland's Man Of The Year. Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) is a successful businessman, a respected philanthropist, a faithful husband, and a loving father. Seemingly Mr. Brooks is a man who has it all, but he has a deadly secret. You see, Mr. Brooks has a sickness that drives him to kill, and over the years he has honed his craft to become a relentless and uncatchable serial murderer dubbed The Thumbprint Killer. Guided by his alter ego Marshall, chillingly portrayed by William Hurt, Brooks succumbs to his desire to kill a young couple but is photographed in the act by a voyeuristic neighbor of the victims named Mr. Smith (played completely straight by funnyman Dane Cook). Smith blackmails Mr. Brooks to take him along for the next murder, to which Brooks reluctantly agrees to after some prodding from his overeager alter-ego. As Brooks unwittingly takes Mr. Smith under his wings he is pursued by Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore), an unorthodox and persistent detective, while trying to conceal his shocking double life from his family.

Here's the thing: I like Kevin Costner. I dug him in Dances With Wolves, thought he knocked it out of the park with Open Range, and enjoyed his turn as a baddie in 3000 Miles to Graceland. But during conversations about movies I've heard many people state that they find Kevin Costner to be a bland performer. Whatever your opinion of him may be let me say that Kevin Costner is outstanding in this film. Usually relegated to playing wholesome and sincere nice guy characters, Mr. Brooks gives him the opportunity to try on a darker side and it fits him well. That's not to say that Brooks is pure evil. No, rather than playing this character as one dimensional, Costner gets to emote as Brooks, allowing a softer, more loving side to shine through from time to time.

William Hurt, as the Hyde to Costner's Jeckyll, is as menacing as he's ever been, his Marshall character the driving force behind the slayings. It's fun to watch Hurt, a phenomenal actor who steals every scene he's in, do his thing with a character like this. Even Dane Cook gives a strong performance, although you'd be hard pressed to find anything remotely likable about his Mr. Smith. And it's always great to see Demi Moore strutting her stuff onscreen. The screenwriters were wise to give her character more depth than your typical detective role with an entire backstory devoted to her. However, I know I'm not alone in wishing she would've given us a boobshot or two. Come on, Demi, you got the goods.....show us those funbags!!

While it didn't exactly light up the box office during its theatrical run, Mr. Brooks certainly deserves to find an audience on DVD. Mr. Brooks is a fascinating thriller with a strong storyline, great performances, and enough plot twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't miss out on this one.