Stars: Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Alfre Woodard, Mary McCormack, David Patrick Kelly, Saul Williams, Celia Weston, Ajay Naidu

Director: Iain Softley

Summary: A man is detained at Grand Central Station, New York, claiming that his name is Prot and that he has come from the planet K-Pax on a fact-finding mission. He is turned over to psychiatrist Dr. Mark Powell who believes Prot to be a delusional who can easily be treated with medication. However after a series of events Powell starts to doubt his own judgement and begins to wonder whether Prot is indeed from a distance planet... Based on the novel by Charles Brewer.

A mysterious man (Kevin Spacey) shows up in Grand Central Station claiming to be an alien, and is promptly taken to a mental institution. When he doesn't respond to medication, he begins seeing a psychiatrist (Jeff Bridges) who is fascinated by him. The man calls himself Prot (rhymes with "boat"), and tells the doctor about life on his home planet, K-PAX. When he learns of Prot's ability to see ultraviolet light, and his savant-like knowledge of astronomy, the psychiatrist, despite his skepticism, begins to believe. But his continuing obsession with the man begins to bring out deeper issues, and Bridges' character is compelled to question whether his patient is a visitor from another world, or simply a deeply disturbed man. Based on the novel of the same title by Gene Brewer, the film is directed by Iain Softley. More than a science-fiction tale, K-PAX is a reflection on the way we live our lives, the things we think we know, and the connection of one human being to another. Spacey gives his usual believable, complex performance, and Bridges is exceptional in the role of a man torn by what he knows and what he wants to believe.

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A wonderfully fresh, original piece of work, K-Paxis a film that manages to combine a variety of genres while still maintaining its own unique identity. The premise of alien life on earth may not be a new one, but Ian Softley's movie is a startling new take on the subject. Spacey's Prot is picked up by the police and, when he claims to be a traveller from the planet K-Pax, is delivered to the care of psychiatrist Jeff Bridges. The intense relationship that develops between the two forms the core of the film, as Bridges searches for the truth about his mysterious patient while also gaining valuable insights into his own life. The movie's great strength is that it keeps the audience guessing up until the very end, refusing to offer them an obvious, tidy conclusion.

Spacey is, as ever, fantastic, playing the kind of charismatic oddball that brought him such acclaim in American Beautyand The Usual Suspects. He manages to embody the themes of the film perfectly, imbuing his character with both a rich humanity and an eerie otherworldliness. Bridges (20 years after he played the role of an alien in Starman) is a revelation, reasserting his position as one of Hollywood's great unsung actors. Softley handles the film with precision, with each revelation from Prot's past adding to the mystery of the story, countering the film's dark, moving moments with episodes of real humour and warmth.

On the DVD:K-Paxoffers a wealth of treasures on disc. Director Softley provides two commentaries (one for the UK and one for the US) and there is an interesting "making of" featurette that goes beyond the usual platitudes to offer a genuine insight into the creative process. A series of deleted scenes are combined with an alternative ending, though all the material on offer is careful not to spoil the vital ambiguity of the plot's conclusion. All the major participants are interviewed and there is a gallery of still photographs taken by Bridges. The film's often dreamlike visual mood is captured beautifully by the enhanced format; this is undoubtedly a well thought out package. --Phil Udell

Aspect Ratio:	2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	UK Commentary Featuring Director Iain Softley And Director Of Photography John Mathieson, US Commentary Featuring Director Iain Softley, Alternate Ending, Deleted Scenes, The Making Of K Pax, Photographs By Jeff Bridges, Interviews, Theatrical Trailer, Storyboard
Year:	2001
Release Date:	January 5, 2004
Runtime:	116 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	C C D 9908
Label:	Film Four Distributors
Keywords:	General, Wide, Screen, Drama, Horror, K, Sci, Fi, Pax
Genre:	Drama