The Life of David Gale (2003)
Tomatometer
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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
Reviews for The Life of David Gale
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An evil piece of junk that uses the death penalty as a gimmick for a dumb thriller. Full Review |
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Spacey has exactly the right amount of understated earnestness to make this death row drama effective. Full Review |
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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 |
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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.
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... [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 |
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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 |
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