bnorthup
11-07-2001, 12:06 AM
K-PAX(PG-13) at the Circus
3 stars (out of four)
A very spacey Spacey
Review by Brent Northup
As a fan of long slow movies with ambiguous endings, I loved “K-PAX.”
Kevin Spacey stars as Prot, a mental patient who claims to be from the planet K-PAX. Psychiatrist Jeff Bridges is skeptical at first, but the doctor slowly begins to believe Prot’s story. Prot’s disarming honesty and his unworldly IQ combine to raise doubts as to whether he’s insane or a long ways from home.
The movie is, of course, a complex metaphor operating on many levels. At the simplest level, it reminds us that the insane may see the world more clearly than the rest of us. On a spiritual level, this guest with healing powers reminds us of Jesus, Gandhi, Socrates and others whose messages were unappreciated by their own generation. And, as poetry, “K-PAX” is a haunting impressionistic journey which never comes completely into focus.
K-PAX is one of those movies that’s best enjoyed as a journey rather than a destination. Admittedly, those who prefer linear stories with happy endings will leave the theater disappointed and/or baffled.
But people who have always suspected the sanity is relative may find this film oddly comforting.
3 stars (out of four)
A very spacey Spacey
Review by Brent Northup
As a fan of long slow movies with ambiguous endings, I loved “K-PAX.”
Kevin Spacey stars as Prot, a mental patient who claims to be from the planet K-PAX. Psychiatrist Jeff Bridges is skeptical at first, but the doctor slowly begins to believe Prot’s story. Prot’s disarming honesty and his unworldly IQ combine to raise doubts as to whether he’s insane or a long ways from home.
The movie is, of course, a complex metaphor operating on many levels. At the simplest level, it reminds us that the insane may see the world more clearly than the rest of us. On a spiritual level, this guest with healing powers reminds us of Jesus, Gandhi, Socrates and others whose messages were unappreciated by their own generation. And, as poetry, “K-PAX” is a haunting impressionistic journey which never comes completely into focus.
K-PAX is one of those movies that’s best enjoyed as a journey rather than a destination. Admittedly, those who prefer linear stories with happy endings will leave the theater disappointed and/or baffled.
But people who have always suspected the sanity is relative may find this film oddly comforting.