(rated PG 13 118 mins.)
Enter Prot (Kevin Spacey), to a Psychiatric Institution of Manhattan wearing black sunglasses because “our planet is really bright.” That’s because he’s not from our planet, claiming to be not human but an alien, not ill, but homesick for planet K -Pax, the “10th planet” we didn’t know about. He tells Dr. Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges) that he’s traveled many times the speed of light to get here. The question is could this guy be for real? Dr. Powell tells his colleague (Alfre Woodard) he’s the most convincing delusional patient he’s ever come across not to mention every astronomer’s dream. Bridges portrayal of Dr. Powell finds him struggling with questions of science versus faith, work versus family (wife is Mary McCormack). While Spacey as Prot is Oscar worthy as always, the story comes off as ‘E.T.’ in ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”. Sounds like a good premise but slow moving and sweet with little purpose except to question could they really be out there and of course, landing in mental institutions? It would have helped to move the pacing along by infusing some humor. Since Prot enjoys produce, peels and all, instead of a banana, next time have him tackle a pineapple.