Rated: PG-13
Running Time:1 hour, 58 minutes
Tabitha's Rating:*****/5
Synopsis: A man in a psychiatric hospital is very convincing as a traveler from space.
Is he, or isn't he? That is the question, and a very compelling one at that. Kevin Spacey, how I love thee, let me count the ways! Though though hast a balding head, I shiver in anticipation at thy next performance. You always deliver, and never disappoint. Okay, I'll cut the pathetic attempt at poetry. However as Lester Burnham would say, "I rule"! Yes, you do, Kevin Spacey. On with the review.
This is not just another movie about an alien visitor from a far away galaxy. It is about humans here on earth. It takes Prot, an alien, to help us humans to see what is in front of our very non ultra-violet light seeing eyes. On Prot's planet, there are no famalies and no one misses him when he is gone. His psychiatrist, portrayed by Jeff Bridges, has a long lost son and a family he ignores. Prot teaches him to not take his family for granted, which simple as it seems, is an important lesson many of us constantly overlook. Not only does Prot help his own psychiatrist, but he also helps to cure the other patients in the mental hospital, the same patients the doctor is unable to cure after years.
The story, of course, is about more than how Prot affects those around him. It is also about himself, and his "friend" who calls him to earth when he is in need of help. I left the theater still unsure of whether he and this friend were one and the same, or not. After thinking it over, I've made up my mind, but I won't tell you...go find out for yourself! The character Prot is very convincing as an alien. There are things he cannot possibly know, things he cannot possibly hear, and things he cannot possibly see...as a human at least. These things alone make the story interesting. I have said in other reviews that a film needs more than special effects (The One) and great acting (Riding In Cars With Boys) to make a truly great movie. It is also needs a great, well developed story. This goes both ways. K-PAX has it all.
Kevin Spacey is one of the best actors of our time. Though I doubt he will ever come across another film as phenomenal as American Beauty, he made a good choice in deciding to be this character, Prot. That is exactly what a good actor like Spacey does, they become the character. Spacey is funny, clever, and compelling. "Are you aware that for a doctor you repeat things quite a lot". He takes over the screen, I have to watch and listen to him. His willingness to act out so much also improves his performance. I was grossed out when he gobbled the banana, peel and all, and moved to tears when he has his emotional breakdown during hypnosis. The other actors also did a good job. I owe it also to name Jeff Bridges, who worked very well alongside Spacey.
The lighting effects were a little bit overused, but otherwise fit perfectly with the story. The music had my heart beating along in anticipation.
Bottomline: Enjoy a great movie, learn a lesson, get your heartbroken, let it rise again in hope..go see this movie.
