K-Pax
Americans have long harbored an interest in outer space and extra-terrestrials, and that fascination has been expressed in films ranging from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to Contact. K-Pax, directed by Iain Softley (The Wings Of The Dove) is the latest addition to this "genre," and it proves to be an intriguing mix of clichˇ and originality.
Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) plays Prot, a man who tells police that he's an alien from the planet K-Pax. As expected, the authorities quickly toss Prot into a mental hospital, where he's subject to a variety of tests and drugs. When he doesn't respond to the treatments, the stumped medical crew sends him to meet with resident expert Dr. Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges).
"I'm from another planet," Prot tells a skeptical Dr. Powell, "but don't worry - I'm not going to leap out of your chest." It's the type of witty line that Spacey excels at expressing, and the movie is strongest when screenwriter Charles Leavitt balances the film's earnest tone with snippets of humor such as this.
During the course of this meeting and many others, Prot tells Dr. Powell about life on K-Pax, from family dynamics to sexual reproduction. He also extols the virtues of Earthian fruit while gnawing on a banana (with skin on). This type of banter could turn into an unintentional hamfest if handled incorrectly, but with pros like Spacey and Bridges taking care of business, the rapport stays mostly fresh.
Dr. Powell slowly comes to believe that perhaps Prot may indeed be from another planet, especially after a group of scientists are awed by his knowledge of K-Pax's solar system. On the other hand, there are also other clues to suggest that "Prot" is simply a troubled human being with a past that has left him scarred.
Several cliches prevent K-Pax from achieving greatness. First, there's the "crazy people are really saner than normal people" theme. Then there's the "all crazy people really need is someone to pay careful attention to their problems" concept. Finally, we get the character of Dr. Powell's wife, who carries the flag for all cinematic wives/girlfriends who respond to their husband's/boyfriend's immersion in fascinating, earth-shattering workplace revelations by nagging them about not spending enough time at home. We've seen all these devices before, and even the well-intentioned ones seem stale.
Surpisingly, although the film often immerses itself in clichˇ, it deftly avoids it in others. Director Softley's decision not to opt for a big, cheesy climax or fake emotional payoffs is a smart one that pays dividends. This strength is most evident in the film's ending, which bravely trusts the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions. Alas, there's also a tacked on voiceover that -- just in case you slept through the entire movie - expresses the movie's message with the subtlety of a punch to the face.
All things considered, K-Pax is a mixed bag that's certainly worth your time if you're a big Spacey fan, but falls short of being must-see material otherwise.
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
There's nary a trace of alcohol to be found in this earnest drama, nor much inspiration to indulge.
If your respective other is a big Spacey fan, this could be a date-night winner. Otherwise, look elsewhere for romance.
Buy this movie from Amazon.com
Buy this book from Amazon.com
Buy this poster from allposters.com
Related Articles:
1) The Usual Suspects
2) Glengarry Glen Ross
3) American Beauty
