K-Pax (Collector's Edition)
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Movie Reviews of K-Pax (Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: Phenomenal performances, gripping story. Loved it!
Summary: 5 Stars
This enigmatic tale will challenge the skeptic in all of us and awaken a deep sense of wonder and hope. This is the kind of story that can make us WANT to believe. Meet "Prot" (played by Kevin Spacey), the mysterious stranger with no apparent past whose claims to be an alien from the planet K-Pax promptly earn him a trip to the local psychiatric hospital. His treating psychiatrist, Dr. Mark Powell (played by Jeff Bridges), initially treats Prot as just another routine case, dismissing his odd claims and "alien" behavior as just the products of a sick mind. Over time, however, Prot begins to do, say and know things that Powell simply cannot ignore. Could there be some truth to his claims? Following a fascinating demonstration at the local planetarium, which both confounds and amazes an assembly of distinguished scientests, the remotely plausible starts to become dramatically more convincing.
All the other patients at the hospital love Prot, and are soon infected by his deeply held expectation that the "mother ship" will, in fact, return to pick him up. They even go so far as to prepare a sending-off party, and to hold an essay contest to decide who will be the one lucky person who gets to go with him. Nevertheless, Prot seems, for all his claims and otherworldly behavior, to be a very normal, lucid individual -- quite harmless to himself or others.
Powell thus feels comfortable to take him to meet the family. All goes well at first, but when an innocuous event begins to awaken some deeply repressed memories, Prot undergoes a sudden change. It is here that the viewer gains new insights into the disturbing and tragic past of this man who calls himself by an alien name. It all begins to make sense now -- or so it seems.
Just as we start to think we understand who Prot is and why he acts as he does, the ending of the movie takes an unexpected twist that causes us to question -- and to hope -- yet again. The fate of Prot is never made clear, and I think that's what turns an otherwise merely good movie into a great one. The viewer is left with his sense of grief and tragedy competing with a sense of inspiration and hope. I guess each viewer decides which one wins, but for me it was hope. I enjoyed believing in something good for a change -- doesn't matter whether I was right or wrong. Great movie!
Movie Review: Inspired storytelling
Summary: 5 Stars
K-Pax is a very intriguing film. Is Prot (Kevin Spacey) really an alien, or is he a mentally deranged human who just thinks he is an alien? That is the question that Dr. Powell (Jeff Bridges) must answer before the self proclaimed deadline that Prot sets for his departure from Earth.As the film unfolds and more evidence is uncovered, both theories grow in credibility. His ability to map from memory the area of the galaxy where his home planet is located indicates a knowledge that no human could possibly possess. Yet the hypnosis sessions lead us to a real person with a very real and traumatic life, filled with devastating events that could have caused such a personality aberration. The ending seems to give the answer, but is just ambiguous enough to make you wonder if you really know. Normally, I don't like lady or tiger endings, but this one is tantalizing. I have my own theory that fits all the clues, but I don't know that my theory is any more correct than anyone else's.
Director Iain Softley ("Wings of the Dove") spins the tale delicately, with great skill. This is a rare example of the director staying in the shadows and inducing outstanding acting performances out of talented actors to let the story dominate. This is not to say that the directing is technically inferior, because it is excellent, especially the cinematography. However, Softley remains unobtrusive, delivering great power through the use of subtlety, a pleasant change from today's vanguard directors who visually grab and shake the viewer as if to scream, "Look how brilliant I am!"
Kevin Spacey once again delivers a marvelous performance as Prot. This is a part that is extraordinarily demanding, requiring Spacey to render the cool and logical Prot one minute, and then switch gears to conjure his tormented alter ego under hypnosis the next. Spacey is so believable as both alien and human, it makes the viewer's task that much more difficult. Jeff Bridges is also terrific as the relentless psychologist who becomes obsessed with learning the truth about Prot.
This is inspired storytelling for the thoughtful viewer. I rated it a 9/10. If you must have closure at the end of a film, this movie will be very frustrating. However, if you like a fascinating mystery that keeps you thinking long after the credits, you won't be disappointed.
Movie Review: This movie is AMAZING!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am into alot of science fiction movies, but I don't even know if this would fit into that category. I am not a fan of drama films, but I do like drama films that blend in with the supernatural, or things that are just out of this world. In this case K-Pax is that type of film. I didn't actually want to see this, I've seen the commercials but I didn't know what the film was about. I started watching it and the story really got me into the film, and got me thinking about the way we all live. The movie gives you a real kick, and makes you realise you have to live your life, because we don't have much time. The story in this film is incredible, and there are actually two stories at once, and this film is also a mystery till the very end. The end is actually a twist, but it was a great ending, to an amazing film. Even after watching it you still think about it, you ask alot of what if questions to yourself. It makes you wonder what's out there, and for a movie to have that big of an effect on someone would make it something real special. Whether you're into these type of films or not you should give this movie a chance. It definately made me respect people more than I already do, and it shows you that you should really respect other peoples beliefs and give them a chance as well. It will make you laugh and think but even more so it will make you realise there is alot more to life than what we think. It's a great movie but it's also a sad movie. It's very dramatic, and I don't think this would be a film for younger audiences, children could not comprehend the meaning of this film and what is going on in it. The acting is incredible, I was never that big of a Kevin Spacey fan but he blowed me away with his performance. It's also a change for him too, most of the films I have seen him in, he has played a villain, or an evil person. But this one is totally different, I don't care who you are, or what you're into, this is one of the best films I have ever seen and I regret not watching it any sooner. A must buy, so don't wait any longer, and watch this film.Movie Review: Sweet and Subtle Tale of the 'Alien' Among Us!
Summary: 5 Stars
Although it opened to mixed reviews, I was pleasantly surprised by the very positive and entertaining way in which the movie "K-PAX" caught my imagination and subsequently ran away with it. Kevin Spacey, despite his last name, appears to be the most unlikely alien this side of "Star Wars', and his depiction of a simple, forthright and bemused visitor (or is he?) caught up in an acute psychiatric care unit involuntarily steals the screen from the other erstwhile ensemble cast members of the film. Jeff Bridges plays the part of the befuddled and over-anxious psychiatrist well, although I do wish that just once such a film would depict a human protagonist who actually has his or her feet planted firmly on terra firma, who is in touch with his or her surroundings, and who is consciously aware of the natural environment as well as the other people populating his or her corner of the universe. Why is it always seen as a celestial characteristic to out-humanize the human beings, so that only the alien seems empathetic, sensitive, and `human'? This is a thought-provoking film on a number of levels, and one is left wondering at the end of the final scenes as to what actually transpired here. There are a number of ways to interpret these final scenes, and, to make things even more tentative and interesting, there's even an alternative ending supplied in the CD version I viewed, which really makes for fascinating table talk. There are a few hilarious scenes in the movie, especially one in which Spacey interacts meaningfully with a dog to the amazement of the picnic crowd, that will leave the viewer with a sense that whoever made this film was bright, articulate, and thoughtful. The film has a number of surprising turns, and by the end I was quite interested and concerned with what would possibly happen to each of the assembled characters. In other words, the film works dramatically, and leaves one feeling glad to have experienced it. I heartily recommend the movie, and hope you find it as satisfying as I did. Enjoy!
Movie Review: Alien or Mental Patient--you decide
Summary: 5 Stars
We had a recommendation to see "K-Pax" from a friend, but the reviews were so mixed. Seems either you love this film or it just leaves you cold. We fell into the "loves it" group and really admired K-Pax.First, it has Kevin Spacey, who is a marvelous actor. This is a chance to see him carry a whole film, though one can't discount Jeff Bridges for his admirable job in the supporting role. When the film opens, Spacey shows up in a train station, sans luggage, and no good way of explaining how he got there. Naturally, he is hauled off by the police for being "wrong." His explanation of his origins (he's "Prot", from the planet K-Pax in the constellation Lyra) earn him a one-way ticket to the mental hospital. His doctor, played by Bridges, is fascinated, not because he believes Prot's story, but because he cannot immediately and definitely diagnose his mental illness. As a dillusional patient, Prot doesn't fit the normal profile.
As the film unfolds, we are toyed with--is Prot the real thing, an alien from outer space (after all, he eats bananas, skin and all) or is he deeply ill? The delicious part of the film is the constant re-adjustment we do to figure out what's going on. The humor, exquisitely played by Spacey's masterful deadpan, is delightful but never takes away from the drama and seriousness of other moments.
The end of the film could have been played a number of ways (the DVD gives you an alternate ending) but I like the one they chose to finish the film. The production is tight, the script is exquisitely written--not a scene or word out of place and the filming is discrete but masterful. Add in some great performances by the leads and supporting actors and you have one fine little film.
The sound on the DVD is unremarkable. The extras include a few scenes that were wisely cut from the film --always a treat to see good editing at work. The piano score is pleasant, but it repeats one motif endlessly while you set up the DVD and drove me nuts. Uh....maybe I shouldn't say "nuts."