Out of all the things this film is being billed as -- drama, science
fiction, fantasy and comedy -- I'll pick drama. It had a little less of
the elements of those other genres I was hoping for, and while
K-PAX didn't meet my expectations (or preconceived notions, if you
will; never a good thing to walk into a movie theatre with), it
succeeds in being a satisfying, thought-provoking experience.
After an altercation at New York's Grand Central Station, Prot
(Kevin Spacey, "Pay it Forward"), a serene, gentle man who calmly
explains that he is here visiting from the planet K-PAX, is taken to a
Manhattan mental hospital and put under the supervision of Dr.
Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges, "The Contender"), a soft-spoken,
easygoing psychiatrist. When even heavy medication fails to
reverse Prot's insistence that he is visiting from another galaxy,
Powell becomes very interested in his patient, who not only seems
to have a calming effect on the other residents of the ward, he also
has an uncanny knowledge of astrophysics. His identity is a
complete mystery, which further intrigues the doctor. When Prot
announces he's going home at the end of July and he can take
one person along with him, the patients all vie to be chosen. As
the days before Prot's planned departure from earth go by, Dr.
Powell struggles with a dilemma -- will Prot really beam up in an
otherwordly fashion, never to be seen again, or will he have a
complete mental breakdown, harming himself or others?
Personally, I found the look of the film a bit dark and dreary. It really
didn't fit in with the story, at least not at first (K-PAX does take a
dark turn down the line). However, Prot wears sunglasses at
almost all times, because he cannot stand ultraviolet light; so
perhaps the cinematographer was trying to help the audience see
through his eyes. I'll buy it if that's the case, but I can't think of an
argument for the irritating, often obtrusive musical score.
Director Iain Softley ("The Wings of the Dove") takes it slow -- too
slow at times. Aside from the two main characters, the rest of the
cast might as well have been cardboard cutouts. The roles that
went to talented ladies such as Mary McCormack, Conchata Ferrel
and Alfre Woodard could have been played by just about anyone.
My only guess is that their meatier performances ended up on the
cutting room floor. For a movie that is already overly long even with
all the fat cut, this is understandable.
If you are willing to sit for two hours and focus on two excellent
actors exploring some interesting concepts and questions (mostly
via dialog in the doctor's office), then K-PAX is a worthwhile trip.
Otherwise, you might want to wait and watch it in the comfort of
your own home (on whichever planet that may be).
fiction, fantasy and comedy -- I'll pick drama. It had a little less of
the elements of those other genres I was hoping for, and while
K-PAX didn't meet my expectations (or preconceived notions, if you
will; never a good thing to walk into a movie theatre with), it
succeeds in being a satisfying, thought-provoking experience.
After an altercation at New York's Grand Central Station, Prot
(Kevin Spacey, "Pay it Forward"), a serene, gentle man who calmly
explains that he is here visiting from the planet K-PAX, is taken to a
Manhattan mental hospital and put under the supervision of Dr.
Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges, "The Contender"), a soft-spoken,
easygoing psychiatrist. When even heavy medication fails to
reverse Prot's insistence that he is visiting from another galaxy,
Powell becomes very interested in his patient, who not only seems
to have a calming effect on the other residents of the ward, he also
has an uncanny knowledge of astrophysics. His identity is a
complete mystery, which further intrigues the doctor. When Prot
announces he's going home at the end of July and he can take
one person along with him, the patients all vie to be chosen. As
the days before Prot's planned departure from earth go by, Dr.
Powell struggles with a dilemma -- will Prot really beam up in an
otherwordly fashion, never to be seen again, or will he have a
complete mental breakdown, harming himself or others?
Personally, I found the look of the film a bit dark and dreary. It really
didn't fit in with the story, at least not at first (K-PAX does take a
dark turn down the line). However, Prot wears sunglasses at
almost all times, because he cannot stand ultraviolet light; so
perhaps the cinematographer was trying to help the audience see
through his eyes. I'll buy it if that's the case, but I can't think of an
argument for the irritating, often obtrusive musical score.
Director Iain Softley ("The Wings of the Dove") takes it slow -- too
slow at times. Aside from the two main characters, the rest of the
cast might as well have been cardboard cutouts. The roles that
went to talented ladies such as Mary McCormack, Conchata Ferrel
and Alfre Woodard could have been played by just about anyone.
My only guess is that their meatier performances ended up on the
cutting room floor. For a movie that is already overly long even with
all the fat cut, this is understandable.
If you are willing to sit for two hours and focus on two excellent
actors exploring some interesting concepts and questions (mostly
via dialog in the doctor's office), then K-PAX is a worthwhile trip.
Otherwise, you might want to wait and watch it in the comfort of
your own home (on whichever planet that may be).