Oh the irony, Kevin Spacey plays a man who appears
to be from outer space - his home planet: K-PAX.
Initially, the film follows the familiar orbits of
other humanoid-on-Earth or savior-in-the-loony-house
films, but ultimately distinguishes itself due (in
large part) to Kevin's spacey grin.
Within minutes of his appearance, Spacey is
questioned by police, "Could you please remove your
sunglasses sir?" Spacey, "I'd rather not, your planet
is really very bright."
This comment jettisons Spacey into a psychiatric
institution where he and Doc Jeff Bridges sort of
treat each other for dysfunctionality.
To this point, the film teeters on the trite, its
script feeling naive, unpolished, young, but strong
of heart. If not for the superb acting and production
value, it may have failed to complete the mission.
Still, some fresh quips from Spacey keep the sphere
spinning, "Don't worry -- I'm not going to leap out
of your chest." Or as Kevin munches on some juicy
strawberries, "For your produce alone, it was worth
the trip."
Eventually, Bridges, completely
obsessed with the case, hypnotizes Spacey. Here the
film engages the viewer emotionally and never lets
go. Still not devastatingly unique, the performances,
photography, direction and specifics brand the
picture with its own style.
Making its point multiple times "c," there is no
need for ending narration which scrapes coarsely
against appropriate visuals. Their film school
teachers would have waved disapproving fingers at
filmmakers for that one, "Say it with story, not with
sentences!"
Still, I have to admit, "K-PAX's" gravitational
pull swallowed me in and engaged my emotions. It's
been a while since that happened.
Director's statement, "K-PAX doesn't fit into any
one genre. Even though there's something very
fantastical about it, I think people will find that
it strikes a chord within their own lives on a number
of levels. It is part mystery, part comedy, part
human drama. It asks us to look beyond the rational
and to admit the possibility of different versions of
the truth, beyond the limits of our knowledge. And to
look at our relationships, the world and the universe
with hope and wonder."
|