Customer Reviews

K-Pax [VHS]

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This was one of those powerful movies that I "took personally"--especially since the blue jay is my totem and the blue jay figures a prominent role in this movie.

Kevin Spacey plays a psychiatric patient named Prot--but Prot claims he's really an alien from the planet K-PAX. Jeff Bridges plays Prot's psychiatrist and is convinced that Prot is delusional. But the Doctor's cynicism soon turns into fascination. Could Prot possibly be an alien? Or is there a perfectly logical, "earthly" reason for Prot's belief that he's an alien?

I don't want to give away any plot points, but this movie is thought provoking and utterly fascinating. You'll be scratching your head at the end--but a part of you will "get" it even if your mind does not. Some mystical themes I enjoyed in this movie is the existence of aliens, the possible messages of aliens, the power of belief in something beyond yourself, and the power of the mind.

Some people have complained that this movies ending is ambiguous and the director doesn't tell the audience whether Prot is really from K-Pax or just the delusional Robert Porter. It's true, but that's what I found so fascinating about the movie and it's premise.

The story stars two of my favorite actors, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. They put on these roles like a comfortable pair of shoes and it isn't long before we feel we've known them for years. Every actor brings their best work to the show and you can't help but be interested and drawn into the story. Whether you believe Prot is real or Robert Porter is just a very tortured man, there are plenty of ambiguities for everyone.

I usually like a movie to be tied up nicely and all the loose ends resolved by the time the credits role. K-Pax is the exception. I appreciated the director laying out the wonderful story with its drama, humor and sadness and letting us draw our own conclusions based on the events as they unfold.

Whatever conclusion you arrive at, K-Pax will entertain you with its intelligent script, wonderful actors and must have music.

This superbly acted drama about an extraterrestrial named Prot, grabbed my attention from beginning to end. Kevin Spacey is rapidly becoming one of our very finest actors. The depth of his performance in this film deserved an Academy Award nomination. Jeff Bridges, as the psychiatrist in charge of Prot, gives another solid performance. This movie works on many levels. Prot claims to have come on a beam of light to earth, and he leaves in the same manner. Like the character in 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance', Prot's consciousness comes in over that of Robert Porter, who is a catatonic. While on earth, Prot solves the perturbations in the orbit of the binary star of K-PAX, disappears for 3 days from a secure facility, and generally displays knowledge that no one on earth could possess. Yet no one will believe Prot is not from earth, despite all of the evidence. This is typical of the human mindset, which disavows anything that is not 'common knowledge'.
At the end of the movie, Porter (Spacey) is in a wheelchair, and Bridges smiles and tells him 'if you are willing to talk, I am always waiting.' The subtle, poignant smile that appears on Spacey's face is masterful, and is in microcosm a portrait of the human experience. It is worth seeing the entire movie just for that last scene. It brought a tear to my eye, I can tell you.
This is a wonderful movie with great depth, wonderfully acted, and it reminds us that there is a big, wide universe out there which we have not even begun to explore.

The spacamin "Prott" appears out of nowhere in a crowded NY transit stop. His claims of extraterrestial origin land him in the hospital. The Psychiatrist (Jeff Bridges), becomes enchanted with "Prott". Convinced "Prott" is delusional, the psychatrist sets out to show Prott, that his claims are impossible. However, Prott wins every challenge given him. He even awes astro-physicists with his knowledge of a distant galaxy, that only been recently discovered, and had not been picked by the media yet. In fact, Prott demonstrates to THEM that the orbit they've hypothesized is in error. Prott makes the necessary changes; changes that give KPAX's true orbit; and with a lock and key specificity, that is, PERFECT. The patients belive Prott, and he leaves them with more hope thaey've had since the day they were committed. He leaves in the middle of the night, from his room/cell, and continues to amaze at how much he changed every person he encounterd. Of course, the psychiatrist remains skeptical of Protts claim of his distant origin. Very good film. Thought provoking, and at times reminiscent of "One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". NOTE: Psychiatrists do not take their patients home with them to meet his family, and find out where they live. Splitting-hairs I geuss.

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.

If you have read my reviews, you know I don't review a movie to give away the scenes or the ending. I believe reviews that give it all away are like Cliff Notes. Why see the DVD? You need to see the movie and be surprised/entertained. And this film will entertain you completely.

I put this DVD in my player expecting a comedy (per the tv hype and trailers). True to this usual misleading media hype, K-Pax is not a comedy. It turned out to be one of the most poignant and engrossing films I have seen in the last year. Kevin Spacey IS `Prot', a supposed visitor from the planet K-Pax, who is arrested by New York cops for no reason other than he attempts to thwart a purse robbery, and help the victim (I immediately wanted to b-slap the cops for stupity). Jeff Bridges is the tired shrink, oblivious to his own personal family issues, assigned to `correct' Prot's way of thinking. The groundwork was cast within the first 5 minutes of the film, and my instincts told me "here we go again". Another looney tune-corrects-a-self absorbed-righteous shrink flick. It is, but it isn't.

Spacey made me BELIEVE from second one, that he was a visitor from K-Pax. I believed he was Prot. I believed Bridges as the tired psych. And as the film progressed, I was rewarded with Spacey's perfectly even character, and Bridges' coming into awareness concerning his own personal shortcomings. I cannot bring myself to expose the whole movie, since I truly want you to experience the absolute smoothness of this film. I can tell you I was blown away by the planetary mathematic scene in the planetarium, where Prot proves the existance of his planet to the only three scientists in the world who could understand the physics-math. I knew then that Prot was real. And I actually clapped my hands and yelled `YES!' at the tv (it did not answer). Prot had PROVED he was an alien visitor. And I believed.

There is an almost uncanny parallel to the very underated film `Fisher King' starring Robin Williams(a fantastic performance) and, oh!, Jeff Bridges! Both Williams and Spacey are suspected lunatics,with Bridges as their psych guy. The difference is, in Fisher King, Bridges is actually drawn into Williams' madness, and in K-Pax, Bridges does a superb job of walking the `I Believe' tightrope. Williams played a blatant lunatic who thrives in his alter-world, and Spacey IS from this Universe. In both films, I compliment Bridges (though I am not a real fan) but in Fisher King, the movie is quietly about Bridges. In K-Pax, Spacey is the the absolute heart and soul. I honestly smelled Oscar for Spacey, and he deserveds it. For Bridges, a Best Supporting was NOT unbelievable.

And the ending? Oh the ending! The best thing this film did, was give you an ending with a true dicotomy. Is Prot from K-Pax, or is he the poor wretched character Bridges dug up. I am leaving this review vague on purpose. I do not want to taint YOUR interpretation of the ending. I will say this, the alternate ending on The DVD is the better ending.

Okay, I will ruin it. Prot, was right. He COULD travel on beams of light. he did go back. K-Pax was real. At least, That's what I believe.

If any of you have read my reviews, you know I do not review bad films (except Scary Movie). Trust, I am never wrong. If you see this DVD, you WILL own it, and watch it at least 3 times within a week.

This is one of the few sci-fi type of films that I enjoy, and is my favorite Kevin Spacey movie, period. Its a movie that leaves you feeling like a different person than you were before you saw, and I highly recommend it.

K-PAX is an excellent film rendition of Gene Brewer's novel of the same name. Where Brewer's novel was somewhat terse, told largely in the form of psychiatrist's notes, the film is much more lyrical. What debate there may be as to the superiority of a particular version surely lies in the nature of the particular medium, and the film's changes made from the novel are largely to take advantage of its enhanced visual and dialogue aspects. Cinematography and art direction were superb, and the music (a sort of Mike Oldfield/Tubular Bells homage by Ed Shearmur) fit the film perfectly. Director Ian Softley and screenwriter Charles Leavitt deserve kudos for keeping the spirit of Brewer's entrancing novel alive.

Especially noteworthy is the acting. Jeff Bridges and Mary McCormack do a wonderful job supporting Kevin Spacey. You really have to admire Spacey for exercising such selectivity over his projects, and here, as in American Beauty, he is at his peculiar best, a real delight to watch. Some viewers may find K-PAX a challenge, as it deals more with questions than answers; some will be disappointed that it doesn't meet their expectations as a science fiction film, or resemble One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest more. I submit that they have missed the point of the film altogether, which is as a gentle character study of a man caught in tragic circumstances, colored with a sense of wonder and social commentary delivered with magical realism. K-PAX is a real delight in both film and print forms; the novel also has an excellent sequel ON A BEAM OF LIGHT and a final member of the trilogy is due out soon. I hope that those books are brought to screen by the same talent involved in this one, it would be a great pleasure.

My wife and I just saw K-Pax last night and both of us loved it!

We actually were so mesmerised by this film that we stayed up much later than we normally would during a week night. Typically we'd just stop the film and pick up the follwing evening, not with this movie, we had to see the whole thing. In fact one of the first things we talked about this morning was the film and that is quite rare.

If you are looking for an action picture, this isn't it, if you're looking for a fun light hearted movie, you are in the wrong place, if you're looking for mindless entertainment, search elsewhere.

The reason I'm saying these things is because a lot of previous reviewers that gave this movie a negative review seemed to base it on expectations that had nothing to do with this movie. Perhaps they thought "Oh, an Alien movie, maybe it'll be like "Men In Black" or something along those lines, who knows?

While I don't want to do a review on other reviewers I would hate for someone to miss out on the opportunity for seeing a movie that has tremendous depth, that certainly has it's share of lighter moments as well, but this movie will make you think and if thinking isn't enjoyable for you then you won't enjoy this movie.

This movie leaves many things unresolved and ends with a sense of mystery, a lot like the way many things in life are. Centered around "Prot" who is from the planet "K-Pax" he is sent to a place for people with Mental illness. Keven Spacey is incredible in his portrayal of this "K-Paxian" and Jeff Bridges is equally brilliant in the role of his Doctor.

Throughout the movie you will be as challenged as the Doctor in trying to come to a conclusion about whether "Prot" is just a nut-job with a "Savant like" intelligence or whether he is in fact an Alien.

I won't go into too great detail as many others have already, plus I don't like to give much of a movie away. But this movie is deep in the way "The Green Mile" is deep. I found myself waking up last night thinking about this film and that almost never happens. In fact, "The Green Mile" was the last film that had this effect on me.

There are some highly disturbing moments in this and I would not recommend this to viewers under 14 or 15 years old. So that being said, this is not in my opinion a family film.

For those old enough and with the right mindset this is a film I would HIGHLY recommend!

A mysterious stranger (Kevin Spacey) "appears" out of thin air in New York's Grand Central Station claiming to be a visitor from the planet K-PAX, which is located in another galaxy many light years away. The benevolent foreigner, who goes by the name Prot, is detained by the NYPD and turned over to the Psychiatric Institute of Manhattan, where Dr. Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges) takes a gradual interest in the man's story.

Over time, Prot shares countless anecdotes of his utopian planet with the hospital's residents and staff. His descriptions paint a world free from laws, families and social conflicts, instilling hope in the patients and raising the suspicions of the doctors. However, Powell has difficulty proving Prot's foolish claims to be false. In fact, the peculiar patient displays an infinite knowledge of subjects he shouldn't know anything about, unless of course he really was from another galaxy all together. So when Prot announces one day that he plans to return to K-PAX, Powell experiences a sense of urgency to solve this man's riddle before he loses him forever.

Director Iain Softley, who made quiet little splashes in the Hollywood pond directing a tearjerker (The Wings of the Dove) and a barn burner (Backbeat), crafts an extremely engaging and introspective science-fiction mystery out of author Gene Brewer's original novel. Much like Spacey's character, K-PAX makes obvious, somewhat universal observations about extremely broad topics, such as man's daily struggle to exist in a family or in society, yet still manages to touch a nerve. After establishing its intrinsic desire to gently poke and prod our planet's problems, though, Charles Leavitt's fabulous, intelligent screenplay goes two steps further, ratcheting up the mystery of Prot's past as you beg for a legitimate resolution.

K-PAX features exquisite performances by leading men Bridges and Spacey, though it's the latter who is given the most rope while Bridges is left to reel him in from time to time. Most of K-PAX's astute observations and valuable life lessons spew forth from Spacey's Prot, and his almost-ambivalent delivery fits the film's mood perfectly. It's as if the film's teachings were, as he often put it, "common knowledge." As proven in Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects and David Fincher's Seven, Spacey excels when his character possesses more knowledge than not only his co-stars, but the audience. His performance is confident, assured and extremely natural - one of his best, and enough to make us forget the sludge that was Pay It Forward.

K-PAX only falters when it attempts to resolve the delicious mystery it has established, because it can't quite answer all of the questions it has raised. Instead of sewing up Prot's case, Softley tacks on an ambiguous open-ended conclusion that, like life itself, just leaves us with more queries to explore. It's frustrating, yes, but it contributes to the film's allure. If you're not discussing this marvelous film on the ride home, you didn't pay close enough attention.