K-Pax (2002)

I could not help but love this movie about a gentle alien (maybe) forced into a mental hospital. Kevin Spacey played the lead role of Prot. I can’t say enough good things about him and the role. Now I’m a big Kevin Spacey fan and have been scanning Amazon to order all the other films he’s been in.

K-Pax leaves you in suspense the entire time. Is Prot an alien, or a mentally ill earthling? The powers that be are convinced he must be insane, but his doctor soon picks up on Prot’s amazing intelligence and wisdom.

I was extremely impressed with Kevin Spacey’s performance. Prot was calm and patient, curious about life on earth, and filled with wisdom. He knew exactly what his fellow mental patients needed and set about improving their lives in the kindest, gentlest way possible.

His open-minded psychiatrist, played by Jeff Bridges, couldn’t seem to believe that Prot could really be an alien. The doctor started an investigation into his past using occasional clues provided by Prot. Bridges was perfect for the part and did a good job of keeping us in total suspense.

This is a movie I would love to see again. Something about Prot is just so attractive! It must be the calm, gentle patience — so unusual in this civilization. For that reason alone I consider this a spiritual masterpiece.