The Phoenix Trick

Kevin Costner was really great at some point, the 90's I think. The early 90's. Afterwards he kind of morphed himself into the patron saint of all things razzie. I walked past his latest a few times in the video store thinking, no, there is no way even-tempered, patient, reflective Costner is going to pull off a serial killer. But its exactly those qualities that make him a good one.

I was blown away by Costner's disturbingly calm and detailed portrayal of the "man of the year" with a secret. His ever-present alter ego, egging him on in Fight Club manner, was also expertly acted by William Hurt. Even the oddly cast Dane Cook does a great job as a sloppy, greedy serial killer in training.

The Costner/Hurt team execute their fatal craft in a suspenseful and sometimes darkly comedic way. That is definitely enough to keep you interested. But there's more, much more. There are plot twists that no one in their right mind could possibly predict. Whoever wrote the script was a sincerely twisted soul. I would like to thank them for that.

Mr. Brooks may not be on an award wining level like Dances With Wolves but IMHO its certainly brought Costner screaming out of obscurity.




Mr. Brooks
9.0/10