K-PAX(2001) PG-13
| Director: | iain softley | Runtime: 2 hrs ( 120 min) |
|---|---|---|
| prot | ..... | kevin spacey |
| dr. mark powell | ..... | jeff bridges |
| rachel powell | ..... | mary mcCormick |
| dr. claudia villars | ..... | alfre woodard |
| howie | ..... | david patrick kelly |
| ernie | ..... | saul williams |
| sal | ..... | peter gerety |
| doris archer | ..... | celia weston |
| dr. chakraborty | ..... | ajay naidu |
| maria | ..... | tracy vilar |
| bess | ..... | melanee murray |
| russell | ..... | john toles - bay |
| joyce trexler | ..... | kimberly scott |
| betty mcAllister | ..... | conchata ferrell |
| navarro | ..... | vincent laresca |
| simms | ..... | mark christopher |
| steve | ..... | brian howe |
| abby | ..... | mary mara |
| natalie powell (age 6) | ..... | tess mcCarthy |
| gabby powell (age 9) | ..... | natasha dorfhuber |
| josh (age 10) | ..... | brandon michael dePaul |
| michael powell (age 21) | ..... | aaron paul |
| sheriff | ..... | william lucking |
| walter fleen | ..... | kelly connell |
| duncan flynn | ..... | peter maloney |
| david patel | ..... | lance nichols |
| stuart hessler | ..... | paul linke |
| danny trexler | ..... | christopher jason brown |
| dominic mcAllister | ..... | greg lewis |
| homeless veteran | ..... | clarke peters |
| sara porter | ..... | kateri walker |
| rebecca porter | ..... | katya abelski |
| babbling man | ..... | norman alden |
| jennifer | ..... | moet meira |
A mysterious man (Kevin Spacey) appears in a crowded train terminal out of nowhwere…literally. He has no luggage, and seems to be awed at absolutely everything and everyone around him. He clearly has no intention of harming anyone, and seems to be very happy to be where he is.
So, naturally, the authorities haul him off to the Psychiatric Institute of Manhattan. Initially, he is escorted to the office of Dr. Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges), Chief of Clinical Psychiatry.
This man, who calls himself Prot
(long o
vowel), is far from threatening. He obviously has a sense of humor, but no physical expressions or reactions to signify it.
He claims to come from a planet named K-PAX, which, says Prot, is about 1,000 light years away from Earth, in a constellation we call Lyra.
At first, he is the only one of his collegues who accepts the vague possibility that Prot is actually who he says he is, and is, in fact, from a planet called K-PAX. The institute is managed more in the fashion of a community rather than a hospital, so everyone is on a semi-formal basis with the residents and the staff.
As Dr. Powell spends the duration of the movie trying to analyze and figure out
Prot, Prot himself is observing the residents of the Institute as they characterize themselves through incident and reaction.
In some cases, Prot changes the residents' attitude toward being ‘locked up.’
Dr. Powell takes Prot to meet some of the collegues of his astrophysicist friend (Brian Howe), who also takes an interest in him.
We learn that Prot does have past history involving tragedy. However, Prot describes it as having happened to a friend who is a native of Earth. This is where everyone's stories, because they are all so believable and apparently undebatable, begin to revive the wonder and doubt of the movie and it's several angles.
Talk about twisting the towel dry (but still getting wet)!
That might be the wrong way to start this review. It sounds as if I believe this topic to have run its course. On the contrary. Let me start a few paragraphs back, at the actual beginning of my thoughts…
Mainly, this movie is an insight into the lack of logical thinking, but also how two different cultures may develop completely different lifestyles and sets of values, each maintaining their respective cultures as the only logical way to live.
When Prot first encounters Dr. Powell, the expected conversation ensues, whereas the alien
seems to have all the answers to the problems of the domestic inhabitants. This seems to be a common theme among many horror/sci-fi-alien movies.
On the other hand, Prot comes to Earth to study and learn the ways of the people of this planet. Of course he learns, observes, and criticizes our ways and customs, but he also teaches the residents of the hospital (and Dr. Powell himself) that there is a world beyond the social norm, and to be labeled mentally deficiant
may show some insight into the labeler.
While (as anyone who has ever seen an alien/other species movie knows) the superior
species of the universe has developed a slew of horrendous flaws. The alien race, which is, of course, perfect and technologically advanced beyond all imagination may not have developed lifestyles that any sane person from Earth would choose voluntarily.
For the entire movie, you (and Dr. Powell) are challenged to decide who Prot really is, where he is really from, and what really is his history.
Movie stereotypes such as these are exploited shamelessly in K-PAX, and the theme has been used over and over in the past (e.g. Cocoon, Batteries Not Included, E.T.). They are themes, though, that survive without becoming redundant. For some strange reason, we seem to enjoy the exploitation of our own flaws. By the same token, we enjoy redeeming ourselves by creating other superior
beings with little,
often social disturbances that tremendously outweigh our piddly frustrations.
As an added aspect, you just cannot write a story such as this, without having the characters described as crazy
(pardon my lack of political savvy) as being the only ones who see beyond what is generally accepted.
As long as writers and actors keep the individual stories fresh (i.e. This isn't your father's Oldsmobile.
), this type of movie will always make you think.
And speaking of thinking…from where do you think Prot comes? What exactly is his true story?
Finally, a short list of quotes and verbal exchanges I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some if you've seen the movie, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:
- Prot :
I've been here many times before. But what brought me here first? I don't know. Pure curiosity, I guess. I'd never been to a Class BA-3 planet before.
Dr. Powell :Class BA-3?
Prot :Early stage of evolution. Future uncertain.
- Dr. Powell :[Ignoring Rachel]
Oh, look. They've published my letter.
Rachel :I spoke with Natalie about going into the after-school program next year…in case I go back to teaching. And this morning my head fell off, but I was able to sew it back on with dental floss. Waxed, of course.
Dr. Powell :Dental floss? Sorry, I wasn't listening.
- Dr. Powell :
You were
born
, right? K-PAXians have babies?
Prot :Oh, yes, much like on Earth. But unlike you humans, the reproductive process is quite unpleasant for us.
Dr. Powell :Could you compare the effect to something that I might understand? Like a toothache?
Prot :It's more like having your nuts in a vice, except we feel it all over. And to make matters worse, the sensation is associated with something like your nausea, accompanied by a very bad smell. The moment of climax is like being kicked in the stomach and then falling into a pool of mod droppings.
- Dr. Powell :
How do you know right from wrong?
Prot :Every being in the universe knows right from wrong, Mark.
- Prot :
You humans. Sometimes it's hard to imagine how you've made it this far.
- Dr. Powell :
Prot, it's one thing to take an interest in your fellow patients. It's quite another to make them think that you can cure them.
Prot :You seem overly upset, Mark. To borrow a phrase from Navarro, ‘you need to chill.’ For your information, all beings have the capacity to heal themselves, Mark. This is something we've known on K-PAX for millions of years.
Dr. Powell :Listen to me. On this planet, I'm a doctor, you're a patient.
Prot :Doctor. Patient. Curious human distinction.
Dr. Powell :It's not your job to cure Howie…or Ernie…or Marie or anyone else. It's mine.
Prot :Then why haven't you cured them yet?
- Dr. Becker :
It's a pleasure to meet you, Prot. I'm Doctor Becker. This is Doctor Flynn, Doctors Papel and Hessler.
Prot :[shaking hands with and nodding at each one in turn.]Doctor. Doctor. Doctor. Doctor…How many doctors are there on this planet?
- Prot :
Kids. Come here. [has barking conversation with Shasta, the dog] Okay. [to the kids] She says she doesn't like it when you hide her favorite tennis shoe. And she doesn't hear so well in her left side so…
[Shasta barks again]
Prot :…so don't sneak up on her anymore.
Natalie :No way.
- Prot :
I believe I mentioned my taking a trip up north, Mark…in this very garden.
Dr. Powell :‘Taking a trip?’ You're a patient here. You don't leave here without a discharge. And don't give me this ‘beam of light’ shit, because I don't buy it. What would you say if I told you that I don't believe you took any trip at all, to Iceland or Greenland, or anywhere? That I don't believe you're from K-PAX? I believe you're as human as I am.
Prot :I would say you're in need of a Thorazine drip, Doctor.
- Dr. Powell :
Let's hope extra-terrestrials qualify for Medicaid.
- Prot :
Why is a soap bubble round?
Dr. Powell:Why is a soap bubble round.
Prot:You know, for an educated Man, Mark, you repeat things quite a bit. Are you aware of that?
10 /10 
Good movie.
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