K-PAX may sound like a brand of tampon or perhaps a radio or TV station, but do not let the name put you off. K-PAX is the name of a planet in this movie, but do not go expecting SciFi. Instead what you’ll find in this film is a light hearted drama, but with some very interesting twists.

Kevin Spacey plays “Prot” who just mysteriously turns up in present day New York City and introduces himself as an alien from the planet K-PAX. What happens to him is likely what would happen in real life if a real alien showed up in human form and did the same thing, he gets tossed into a mental institution. Spacey plays this role perfectly with his dead-pan but smug deliveries.

While institutionalized he comes under the care of Dr. Mark Powell, played by Jeff Bridges. This is kind of a role reversal for Bridges who plays a character with a lot of similarities to Prot in the film Starman. Dr. Powell finds Prot’s delusions very convincing from the way he has some freaky physical abilities to the way he eats his fruit, peels and all. If that’s not enough, his knowledge of astrophysics impresses the heck out of a group of the foremost Astronomers.

Prot is a real hit with his fellow patients in the institution and proves to be very helpful to many. The entire premise of the movie makes for some humorous moments. And the movie very smartly leaves a lot of things up to individual viewer interpretation. This movie is deep enough to inspire philosophical thoughts and discussions, but light hearted enough to be enjoyed by most. As such it makes a great date movie. We give this one 4 stars.