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K-PAX
Review by Mike Furches (Mike's bio)
Universal Pictures
Universal and Intermedia Pictures present
a Lawrence Gordon production
Producers: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Robert F. Colesberry
Director: Iain Softley
Screenwriter: Charles Leavitt
Based on the novel by: Gene Brewer
Executive producer: Susan G. Pollock
Director of photography: John Mathieson
Production designer: John Beard
Music: Edward Shearmur
Co-producer: Michael Levy
Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach
Editor: Craig McKay
Cast:
Prot: Kevin Spacey
Dr. Mark Powell: Jeff Bridges
Rachel Powell: Mary McCormack
Claudis Villars: Alfre Woodard
Howie: David Patrick Kelly
Ernie: Saul Williams
Running time -- 120 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13
While K-PAX hit the initial screens running with the number 1 spot it is possible that it won't have a long run at the top. It won't be because of the lack of quality. In short, this film is brilliant throughout. From the beginning, the viewer is faced with the question of whether or not Prot is an alien or simply mentally ill. Prot, played perfectly by Kevin Spacey, is as wonderful of a character to come around in a movie in a long, long time.
While assisting a robbing victim at Grand Central Station in New York, Prot is apprehended by the police department and taken to the local mental hospital. In what could to some resemble a play on the fine film, One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, Prot begins to assist his fellow patients as well as many of the hospital's staff begin a journey of discovering what is really important in their individual lives.
Prot professes to come from the planet K-PAX; the viewer questions the legitimacy of this, and instantly finds a common ground with which to identify with the other characters in the film. I know that to many there will be components of K-PAX that will remind them of new age philosophy, aliens and all. If this is the primary focus of the viewer, I would challenge that the overwhelming primary emphasis has been overlooked.
Throughout the film the claims and teachings of Jesus are brought up and the characters are challenged to practice those teachings. Prot happens to be the primary character challenging those around him with these teachings, briefly in word but largely by his actions. Prot appears out of nowhere, from the light of the station entrance to give money to a disabled veteran asking for money. Prot then goes out of his way to assist a woman robbed at the train station. All of this kindness in a world surrounded by people who don't seem to care about the hurting of those around them. Upon seeing Prot, the police find out that he is different and then takes him to the mental hospital. When Prot first arrives at the mental hospital one of the patients is heard in the background reading from 1st Corinthians chapter 13. The patient in the background is reading clearly, being ignored. The verses read are known as the love chapter in the Bible and in these verses the reader is told that without love they are nothing. As the verses are being read we also see a short glimpse of a Norman Rockwell painting with the caption, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." From this point on the Spiritual implications are many.
Early on in the film, Prot is challenged by the doctors at the hospital, especially the doctor he begins to develop a relationship with, Dr. Mark Powell played by Jeff Bridges. During one of the early scenes of therapy Prot helps Dr. Powell realize that humans don't truly understand the concept of love. For example, he states; "You are all caught up in the philosophy of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Prot then points out that while these teachings are contrary to the teaching of Buddha and Jesus that not even Christians understood those teachings. While in this sequence he seems to support both Buddhism and Christianity he later tells a patient who wants to return with him to his planet K-PAX that he is welcome to take with him his Bible. Prot understands the importance of spirituality among those in the hospital and does all he can to assist both the staff and patients as to the true component of love.
K-PAX is about much more than if Prot is from space or if he is mentally ill. We are all challenged with our ability to love those around us, even those we are closest to. I was extremely impressed with the attributes gone over in this film. After working in the mental health profession for over 20 years I was impressed with the dignity and respect given to persons with mental illness. K-PAX shows that you can show a humorous side to mental illness without showing them disrespect. Unlike Me Myself & Irene, with Jim Carrey, this is an accurate portrayal of persons in a mental hospital. It is amazing that Prot shows these individuals his love and that these are the individuals that he chooses to spend his time with. Much like the lepers of the 1st century the mentally ill are often misunderstood and abused. Prot shows that the ability to love the most misunderstood is an ability to love everyone. Dr. Powell comes to recognize this as he begins to realize his own failures and makes an effort to change his habits. 1 John 3:17,18 "If we have all we need and see one of our own people in need, we must have pity on that person, or else we can not say we love God. Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it."
There is far more things I could go over regarding this film but it is important that it is viewed and interpreted on your own. It is one of those films that will make you think and challenge you to love those around you.
K-PAX is a rare and beautiful film. Hopefully you can tell from the rare fact that this film is receiving, at least from this viewer, a perfect 10. This movie has just jumped into my top 100 movies and is one well worth seeing.
Copyright 2001, Mike Furches. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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About Mike Furches: Mike is the senior pastor of United at the Cross Community Church in Wichita, Kansas. The church, located in the inner city of Wichita has a unique ministry to former gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes and others often neglected by the church. Mike also is involved in freelance writing and speaks nationally. Check out his web page for more information: http://www.furches.org/ E-mail Mike |
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