K-Pax depicts the ebb and flow of delusion and reality

Spacey portrays a 'spacey' kind of guy who declares that he comes from the distant planet K-Pax. When he is picked up by the police at Grand Central Station, it is veteran psychiatrist Dr. Mark Powell (Bridges) who is given the task of determining treatment for this delusional character called Prot.

Powell has seen many a crack pot at his NYC public hospital, and he is determined to probe Prot's mind through psychotherapy and hypnosis and get to the source of this man's problems. Dr. Powell is sure once he can peal off the layers of insulation that surround this professed alien, he will find Prot is just a ordinary man suffering from mental illness.

Prot confides in Powell that he is on a fact-finding mission. He is fascinated by how different his planet is from earth, admitting that although earth is far behind in its life forms and scientific research, it surely has the best produce in the universe. His descriptions of life on K-Pax are hard to comprehend but his scientific diagrams of the exact location of his planet to a group of astronomers is mind boggling as well as conceivable.

In the meantime, Prot is placed in the hospital psych ward where he soon becomes the leader of the crazies on the ward. His gentle charm enchants each patient, spreading a certain kind of peace among them. He proffers on his return to K-Pax, to take one of them along for the 'faster than the speed of light' ride. Prot impresses the medical staff as well, when he curiously cures one of the mental patients.

Could this self-assured human somehow be an alien? Even Powell begins to question the possibility. Putting his family life on hold, Powell becomes obsessed with saving Prob from the hospital administrators, who press to legally declare him insane.

Aside from the surface level story dealing with Prot's true identity, there is a moralistic view Prot shares with Powell. In the manner of a prophet, Prot spreads the "word." to his disciples in the psych ward and to Dr. Powell. Prot preaches to live life to the fullest, take time to enjoy the simple things, and to put your family before all other things. His message is one of peace and understanding.

There is a mystical feel to this modern day science fiction drama that cinematically uses light as a means of subtly highlighting the ebb and flow between reality and delusion that surrounds Prot. Is he or is he not an alien? Or, is he a religious prophet who appears on earth to spread 'Pax' as in the Latin word, 'peace'?

This picture oft times brings to mind the film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." At other times it parallels another recent time traveler film entitled "Happy Accidents." as well as the successful Ron Howard film, "Cocoon."

Viewers will enjoy this movie for its unique study of mental illness. Both Spacey and Bridges give exceptional performances as they walk the fine line of insanity. Their strong acting performances plus a well written screenplay combine to deliver an entertaining film.

3 scoops.<