In K-PAX , Kevin Spacey plays Prot, a rather skuzzy-looking character who claims to be from the planet K-PAX which is located in an entirely different solar system. That Prot is a messiah figure is clear from our very first glimpse of him as he arrives on a beam of light. The messianic imagery becomes more pronounced as he is quizzed by the elders and heals those around him.
But Prot is a quirky messiah and Kevin Spacey chews up the scenery (as well as some bananas) in this role that is made-to-order for Spacey's abilities. Jeff Bridges turns in a solid performance as the psychiatrist who works with Prot at the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute, Prot's home for most of the story.
There are elements of this story that reminded me of many other films. First among these is Starman wherein Bridges plays the alien messiah figure. It also reminded me of John Travolta in Michael. The relationship between psychiatrist and patient is very reminiscent of The Adventures of Don Juan De Marco and Good Will Hunting, movies in which the healers are themselves healed as a result of their interactions. Astute observers may also note similarities to Awakenings, Patch Adams, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
It is a tribute to the director that the film transcends its indebtedness and manages to borrow plot devices and yet weave them into a story that is engaging and original. In spite of the similarities mentioned above, I was engaged throughout the film and was never sure where the storyteller's were taking me next. In fact, at the end of the film the viewer will be left uncertain still. The ambiguity of the ending is one of the strengths of the film. This is one of those "yeah, but" films. That is, as my wife and I talked about the film the whole way home, we found ourselves saying, "yeah, but what if . . .".
I do have one minor complaint. There is one line at the very end that I will call "neobabble"-new age theological babble inserted as a kind of moral to the story. It diminished the film's ending somewhat and was pretty unnecessary. Other than that, the film gets a big "thumbs up" for an innovative story and a "stellar" performance by Kevin Spacey. This film does not have all of the answers, but it might get you thinking about some of the questions.
But Prot is a quirky messiah and Kevin Spacey chews up the scenery (as well as some bananas) in this role that is made-to-order for Spacey's abilities. Jeff Bridges turns in a solid performance as the psychiatrist who works with Prot at the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute, Prot's home for most of the story.
There are elements of this story that reminded me of many other films. First among these is Starman wherein Bridges plays the alien messiah figure. It also reminded me of John Travolta in Michael. The relationship between psychiatrist and patient is very reminiscent of The Adventures of Don Juan De Marco and Good Will Hunting, movies in which the healers are themselves healed as a result of their interactions. Astute observers may also note similarities to Awakenings, Patch Adams, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
It is a tribute to the director that the film transcends its indebtedness and manages to borrow plot devices and yet weave them into a story that is engaging and original. In spite of the similarities mentioned above, I was engaged throughout the film and was never sure where the storyteller's were taking me next. In fact, at the end of the film the viewer will be left uncertain still. The ambiguity of the ending is one of the strengths of the film. This is one of those "yeah, but" films. That is, as my wife and I talked about the film the whole way home, we found ourselves saying, "yeah, but what if . . .".
I do have one minor complaint. There is one line at the very end that I will call "neobabble"-new age theological babble inserted as a kind of moral to the story. It diminished the film's ending somewhat and was pretty unnecessary. Other than that, the film gets a big "thumbs up" for an innovative story and a "stellar" performance by Kevin Spacey. This film does not have all of the answers, but it might get you thinking about some of the questions.