Review of K-PAX (2001) by Robert I — 07 Jan 2013

A 'man' turns up in a psychiatrist's office, reporting to be an alien visiting from another planet. But his knowledge and demeanor is so convincing, that even the psychiatrist starts to wonder if he's telling the truth.

It's difficult to imagine anyone else but Kevin Spacey being able to play the role of 'alien outsider' with quite so much magnetism, and he absorbs the role in a way that makes you think he was born to play it. Jeff Bridge's character also works on several levels; presenting both an intrigued doctor and a flawed family man; lacking some of the 'humanity' that his 'alien' friend/subject has to teach him.

What is also satisfying about this film is that it doesn't patronise the audience. Had this been a simple 'alien visitation' story, it would have fallen short, but there is enough mystery remaining in the film to let the viewer decide whether the 'alien' is what he says he is, or whether he is delusional. And the clever part is that either way, this film works - through a clever script and interesting characters.

A mixture of elements from 'Harvey' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' with Spacey's own unique idiosyncrasies thrown in. Well worth a watch.