I’ve always had a strong dislike for Kevin Costner. I don’t know what it is–the quality of many of his films, his rather blase screen presence–but if Costner has a new movie coming out, don’t bet on me rushing out to see it. Look at the list of some of the movies he has done in the last decade–Wyatt Earp, Waterworld, Tin Cup, The Postman, Message in a Bottle, For Love of the Game, 300 Miles to Graceland, Rumor Has It. There have been rare occasions of strong films and performances, particularly the underrated The Upside of Anger with Joan Allen and the slow but effective Open Range (and I still have yet to see Dances with Wolves and Field of Dreams). But for the most part, I try to avoid his work as much as possible. That’s why Mr. Brooks was such an odd experience for me. This is my favorite performance Kevin Costner has ever given, and the film stands up with Zodiac and Grind House as one of the best films I’ve seen so far this year.

Mr. Earl Brooks (Costner) seems like your everyday normal rich guy… beautiful wife, college-bound daughter, successful. The only scenario out of whack in his life is that he’s an addict, not with drugs, but with killing people. He has an imaginary friend Marshall (William Hurt) who likes to taunt him and remind him who he really is inside. Earl, on the other hand, wants to quit the lifestyle and go the straight and narrow. Up until a night in which he shoots in cold blood two people having sex, he hadn’t killed anyone in two years. He’s been called the Thumbprint Killer but assumed dead or booked in jail for not having assumed any activity for so long. Hot on his trail is Detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore), who has problems of her own, including owing her soon-to-be ex-husband millions of dollars and being hunted down a duo of killers who have a vendetta toward her. Thrown into the mix is a photographer (Dane Cook), who discovers Mr. Brooks’ dual identity and wants something oddly disconcerting in return.

The joy in watching the movie is putting all the pieces together as you watch it. Just when you think you know exactly where it’s going, the movie surprises you. The movie goes back and forth between Brooks and Atwood, and there is never a dull moment. By the third act, I had a feeling I knew what was coming in the finale, but I was taken aback by the end and how everything is resolved. And there is a beautiful moment in the end that many may feel is a cop-out of sorts, but that I loved.

William Hurt is the only great actor in the bunch, so it’s a surprise just how good all the performances are. Costner, as I said before, is really terrific in this. His personality that drags other movies down complements this movie. He is believable in the role and never over-plays any moments of intensity. He can be scary at times, particularly in his first murder scene, and there is even a scene in which he cries, one in which he completely pulls off. Demi Moore, never one for Actress of the Year, commands the screen with her biggest role in a major theatrical movie in a decade. Demi, where have you been? Looking better than she’s ever looked at 44, she delivers a solid performance in what makes for a good half of the movie. Being a fan of her work in the underrated thriller Disclosure, it was fun to see her return to a character that chews the scenery and takes command in every scene. William Hurt gets the thankless role, one that could’ve been a complete mess and a horrific part of the movie. He makes it really work though, and the manner in which the director and editor have alligned his screen-time with Costner’s is excellent. The character is ultimately necessary, and Hurt has fun with it. Dane Cook is another big surprise in this. All I knew about this guy before seeing this movie was that he was in some supposedly shitty flick with Jessica Simpson and that he had a background mostly in comedy television and movies. I wanted nothing to do with this guy, and when I saw him featured in the trailer, I was thinking, “huh??” He’s great in this! Similar to Costner, his personality just suits the character. He’s a little off-balance, kind of a dick, definitely egotistical. The last scene with him in the film is also one to remember–classic! I’ve never seen Cook in a film before, but he should definitely do more dramatic work. One other stand-out in the movie is Danielle Panabaker, who plays Earl’s daughter Jane. As more and more unfolds about her character, the more the audience understands that something isn’t quite right about her. Panabaker plays her as that perfect little daughter who has some quirks about her but who will do anything to get her way. The last scene with her character is absolutely priceless and makes for a thought-provoking ending for the film.

The storyline involving Earl is pretty much flawless in my book, consistently entertaining, always filled with twists and turns. The Tracy storyline, however, has some problems. While the time taken to develop her relationship with her husband seems appropriate considering the outcome of the movie, I don’t understand why there is such an emphasis on the two twisted jail breakers who are trying to take revenge on her. It ultimately doesn’t have a lot to do with the other storyline, and the outcome of it doesn’t really make an impact on the rest of the movie. Maybe I missed something, but I didn’t see what all of that material was for except for providing a pretty cool car crash scene and an intense shoot-out. In fact these two scenes are the only ones with any real action in them. The majority of the movie is fairly slow but creepy and nail-biting. I know a lot of critics use that word “nail-biting” for effect (and possibly to be featured in certain TV ads) but I definitely was actually biting my nails in a couple scenes (and I even forgot to wash my hands before the movie). Going back to the last scene of the movie, I bet a lot of people will not be completely satisfied with the end.

Usually this kind of ending doesn’t work. It worked for me in this movie, however, because it leaves you with uncertainty. Earl Brooks is a crazed serial killer who we care for and root for. We don’t want him to die, and we don’t want him to lose everyhing in his life. But, at the same time, his sins can’t go unnoticed. The end works in delivering what seems like a happy ending, when really it’s a major downer. As it should be.

I really really enjoyed this movie. It’s not the most original take on the serial killer genre in the world (not even this year, see Zodiac), and there’s nothing extraordinary about it. It’s just a really engrossing story told well, performed well, paced well. It took me back to the kind of entertaining Michael Douglas thrillers of the 90’s (The Game, A Perfect Murder, and, yes, Disclosure) that don’t seem to be made a lot lately. Thankfully Mr. Brooks doesn’t feature Douglas in the main role, but instead, Mr. Costner, who finally after many years delivers a great accomplished performance. Congratulations, Kevin, I no longer hate you. And Demi, don’t you disappear. You still have a lot of great work in you. With a great director and script, you could have a major comeback! Why I am I talking to the stars of the film? They’re not reading this. The blog, mind you, is only a week old. But in the off-chance that they are reading this, they will be much, much better off. Especially Demi.

Definitely check out Mr. Brooks if you’re in the mood for an entertaining summer night at the movies. It will surprise you and give you more than a couple jolts throughout its running time. And it leaves you with one memorable piece of advice. When you have sex, sometimes, it’s best to leave the curtains open.

3 stars (out of 4)