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Review #109: K-PAX
Robert Porter is a psychiatric patient in a mental hospital, he claims he is an extra-terrestrial, that his real name is 'prot' (pronounced 'prote') and that he comes from a planet called 'K-PAX'.
Dr Mark Powell, the head phsychiatrist dealing with Robert, is amazed and stunned by the complexity of Robert's claims, even to the point that he starts to almost believe them himself.
What makes things stranger, is that Robert has knowledge of things outside of our solar system that is know by only a handful of scientists. Robert also has an incredible mental influence on the other patients of the hospital.
Dr Powell must find out the truth of what or who Robert really is, before a predetermined date, mentioned by prot, arrives.
Based on Gene Brewer's novel of the same name... a mixed reception for K-PAX saw the movie score relatively low on many critic's books.
K-PAX is actually a very well crafted sci-fi mystery-drama that leaves the viewer in a state of disbelief, then throws the audience on the backfoot and makes them believe the strange and wonderful claims of the lead character.
It's all down to the exceptional character writing and overall script that give the movie its weight.
The screenplay is also top drawer. The series of events is incredibly easy to follow, even though some of it could well have gotten overly-complicated, the filmmakers have placed it in such a way that it adds more depth to the overall story rather than confusing the viewer.
Kevin Spacey is at the top of his game as Robert/prot. His familiar monotone voice, usually used when being all 'serious', works fantastically for the character and when he's playing Robert, he changes substantially. He really is two seperate characters in one scene.
Jeff Bridges is at his usual likable best as Dr Powell. His character is also brought to a realism by Bridges and he plays off Spacey fantastically.
With support from Mary McCormack, Alfred Woodard and the brilliant chameleon actor David Patrick Kelly.
All in all, there's not much else to say about K-PAX apart from that it's an underrated experience and certainly worth more than the 41% it got from a certain movie review website.
Though not perfect, it's full of intrigue, great acting and an ending that will leave the viewer philosophically wondering...
My rating 83%
Robert Porter is a psychiatric patient in a mental hospital, he claims he is an extra-terrestrial, that his real name is 'prot' (pronounced 'prote') and that he comes from a planet called 'K-PAX'.
Dr Mark Powell, the head phsychiatrist dealing with Robert, is amazed and stunned by the complexity of Robert's claims, even to the point that he starts to almost believe them himself.
What makes things stranger, is that Robert has knowledge of things outside of our solar system that is know by only a handful of scientists. Robert also has an incredible mental influence on the other patients of the hospital.
Dr Powell must find out the truth of what or who Robert really is, before a predetermined date, mentioned by prot, arrives.
Based on Gene Brewer's novel of the same name... a mixed reception for K-PAX saw the movie score relatively low on many critic's books.
K-PAX is actually a very well crafted sci-fi mystery-drama that leaves the viewer in a state of disbelief, then throws the audience on the backfoot and makes them believe the strange and wonderful claims of the lead character.
It's all down to the exceptional character writing and overall script that give the movie its weight.
The screenplay is also top drawer. The series of events is incredibly easy to follow, even though some of it could well have gotten overly-complicated, the filmmakers have placed it in such a way that it adds more depth to the overall story rather than confusing the viewer.
Kevin Spacey is at the top of his game as Robert/prot. His familiar monotone voice, usually used when being all 'serious', works fantastically for the character and when he's playing Robert, he changes substantially. He really is two seperate characters in one scene.
Jeff Bridges is at his usual likable best as Dr Powell. His character is also brought to a realism by Bridges and he plays off Spacey fantastically.
With support from Mary McCormack, Alfred Woodard and the brilliant chameleon actor David Patrick Kelly.
All in all, there's not much else to say about K-PAX apart from that it's an underrated experience and certainly worth more than the 41% it got from a certain movie review website.
Though not perfect, it's full of intrigue, great acting and an ending that will leave the viewer philosophically wondering...
My rating 83%
