Prot (Kevin Spacey) is a patient at a mental hospital who claims to be from a far away planet called K-PAX. His psychiatrist (Jeff Bridges) tries to help him, only to begin to doubt his own explanations.
Apparently, at one point Will Smith was supposed to be Prot and Kevin Spacey was the doctor. That is completely unimaginable. Smith is a bit of a stretch for the alien role (though he could do it), and Spacey is clearly stronger as the alien than as a doctor (though he is always great).
What makes this film so good is that while the viewer believes that Prot is an alien, it is never definitely established. Every so often the doctor throws in a doubt here or there. The line between genius and madman is dangerously thin.
Roger Ebert wrote, "I admired how the movie tantalized us with possibilities and allowed the doctor and patient to talk sensibly, if strangely, about the difference between the delusional and that which is simply very unlikely." The film was also alleged to be plagiarized from "Man Facing Southeast" (1986), an Argentinian movie. As I have never seen that film, I cannot comment on any similarities.
Apparently, at one point Will Smith was supposed to be Prot and Kevin Spacey was the doctor. That is completely unimaginable. Smith is a bit of a stretch for the alien role (though he could do it), and Spacey is clearly stronger as the alien than as a doctor (though he is always great).
What makes this film so good is that while the viewer believes that Prot is an alien, it is never definitely established. Every so often the doctor throws in a doubt here or there. The line between genius and madman is dangerously thin.
Roger Ebert wrote, "I admired how the movie tantalized us with possibilities and allowed the doctor and patient to talk sensibly, if strangely, about the difference between the delusional and that which is simply very unlikely." The film was also alleged to be plagiarized from "Man Facing Southeast" (1986), an Argentinian movie. As I have never seen that film, I cannot comment on any similarities.