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Movies / On DVD / The Life of David Gale
The Life of David Gale

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The Life of David Gale (2003)

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Reviews Counted:152

Fresh:30

Rotten:122

Average Rating:4.3/10

Consensus: Instead of offering a convincing argument against the death penalty, this implausible, convoluted thriller pounds the viewer over the head with its message.

Runtime: 2 hrs 11 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Gale (Kevin Spacey) is a Texas professor and anti-death penalty activist who, ironically enough, winds up on death row for the rape and murder of a colleague. Kate Winslet plays Bitsey Bloom, the... Gale (Kevin Spacey) is a Texas professor and anti-death penalty activist who, ironically enough, winds up on death row for the rape and murder of a colleague. Kate Winslet plays Bitsey Bloom, the brave journalist who sets out to tell to his story. In the days leading up to his execution, Gale fills her in on his life via flashbacks, which include political debates, lectures, sex with a student, rape allegations, alcoholism, divorce, and despair. As the hour of his doom approaches, Bitsey becomes convinced that Gale is the victim of a shadowy political conspiracy and races against the clock to prove his innocence. Director Alan Parker (MISSISSIPPI BURNING) manages to deliver a strong anti-capital punishment message alongside enough twists, turns and shocking moments to keep viewers perched at the edges of their seats. Winslet and Spacey are both riveting in the leads, but its Laura Linney as Gale's alleged victim--a fellow anti-capital punishment activist and close friend--who makes the biggest impression. Gabriel Mann also scores points in a sympathetic role as Bitsey's intern. Nicholas Cage served as the film's producer. The musical score is by Parker's two sons, Jake and Alex. [More]

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney, Kate Winslet, Gabriel Mann

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney, Kate Winslet, Gabriel Mann, Leon Rippy, Rhona Mitra

Director: Alan Parker

Director: Alan Parker
Screenwriter: Charles Randolph
Producer: Nicolas Cage, Alan Parker, Moritz Borman, Guy East
Composer: Alex Parker, Jake Parker
Producer: Nicolas Cage
Studio: Universal Pictures

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Reviews for The Life of David Gale

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/07/04
Liz Beardsworth
Liz Beardsworth
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
03/25/03
Guardian [UK]
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An evil piece of junk that uses the death penalty as a gimmick for a dumb thriller.

Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
03/19/03
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
03/16/03
This is London
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N/R

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Full Review Source: FilmFour.com | comment Comment
03/14/03
FilmFour.com
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Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
03/12/03
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Spacey has exactly the right amount of understated earnestness to make this death row drama effective.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
02/20/03
Jamie Russell
Jamie Russell
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
02/20/03
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

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Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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N/R

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Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
09/26/05
AV Club
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The filmmakers work so hard to bewilder and to preach that they give us no opportunity to think clearly about the serious life-and-death issues that the film claims to address.

Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer

Como suspense, o filme não desaponta. Porém, a ambiguidade moral de seus ‘heróis’ acaba por transmitir uma mensagem oposta àquela que o filme pretende defender.

comment Comment
06/04/04
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

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Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
03/16/04
Jamie Gillies
Jamie Gillies
Apollo Guide

... [Alan] Parker lures you into the theater, but then you sit down and all he has waiting for you is a whoopee cushion.

Full Review Source: Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) | comment Comment
01/06/04
Greg Maki
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

In arguing that calmly and deliberately taking a life can never be justified... it ends up arguing just the opposite. It’s bad drama and worse politics.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
01/06/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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Full Review Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal | comment Comment
11/11/03
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal
 
 
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