K-PAX
Are you from there too?
Kevin Spacey is cool. Jeff Bridges is not.
Kevin Spacey is cool. Jeff Bridges is not.
Kevin Spacey stars as a man from space (can it be said that he was born for this role?) who beamed on Earth by harnessing the speed of light. He parades around Manhattan, New York claiming to be a visitor from the planet K-PAX (located somewhere in the constellation of Lyra.) Of course he is sent to a mental hospital where he is looked after by a well-respected psychiatrist, played by Jeff Bridges, who, being a rational man, knows that Spacey is a human being. What else could he be? However, several instances make Bridges wonder whether his theory is entirely correct after all.
I was impressed with "K-PAX." It has the most intelligent plot that I have seen in a new film for quite a while! Unfortunately, the direction didn't make this film as engaging as it could have been. (I was interested in it fully, however, but there are other people, friends and other critics, who didn't.) The direction made the film flow very slowly, which in my opinion isn't ideal. This is why people let their attention wander away from the screen.
So, if you see this film, pay attention! There is a real treat in store!
There are also some nice laughs to be had in this movie which, unfortunately, was given away by the trailers. However, I stress the point that laughs are not the reason to see this movie. See it for the story!
Beware: the marketing of this movie is quite misleading! They way it was advertised, "K-PAX" should have been a lighthearted comedy for the family. However, that, it is certainly not. This is not really a comedy (even though there are jokes) it actually turns into a rather intense drama! For this reason, I would rethink taking a family with young children (for boredom's sake) to see the movie. This is a movie only for people who likes to have their intellects challenged every once in a while.
The two time Academy Award Winner, Kevin Spacey, turns in another great performance. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Jeff Bridges! (He's not bad, just mediocre.)
I have to mention the fact that this movie is really a parable on the life of Jesus Christ. However, I did not realize it until well after I saw it!
FINAL VERDICT: B+
An excellent, intelligent, and intriguing plot alone makes watching this film worthwhile. Kevin Spacey's excellent performance is another great reason to see this movie! The slow direction is the film's only major flaw.
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Starring:
Kevin Spacey (is Lost in Spacey), Jeff Bridges, Mary McCormack, Alfre Woodard, David Patrick Kelly, Saul Williams, Peter Gerety, Celia Weston, Ajay Naidu, Tracy Vilar, Melanee Murray
Directed by:
Iain Softley (I'm trying to figure out the correct way to pronounce that first name!)
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2001 comedy/drama
Rated PG-13.
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Don Ignacio's score: B+