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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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21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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The film is so expertly crafted that it becomes an effective thriller. It is not, however, an indictment of the death penalty.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
08/01/03
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

It isn't long before we yearn to see David Gale as the poster-boy for deserved capital punishment.

Full Review Source: Peterborough This Week | comment Comment
07/16/03
Mike Sage
Mike Sage
Peterborough This Week
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
07/02/03
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

LThe Life of David Gale goes quietly into that good night during the doldrums of February, when studios discard their noble failures. . .

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
06/05/03
Todd Gilchrist
Todd Gilchrist
FilmStew.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
05/30/03
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I appear to be alone in my adoration of this strong film...

Full Review Source: Blunt Review | comment Comment
05/30/03
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt
Blunt Review

Dead Man Walking if written by Charlie Kaufman.

Full Review Source: Film Snobs | comment Comment
05/28/03
Stephen Himes
Stephen Himes
Film Snobs

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Jim Shelby
Jim Shelby
Palo Alto Weekly

. When all is said and done, The Life of David Gale is thus only worth about $8.50 on a cheap Tuesday. .

Full Review Source: Sunday Times (Australia) | comment Comment
05/18/03
Shannon J. Harvey
Shannon J. Harvey
Sunday Times (Australia)

'A pesar de las infundadas críticas en su contra, Alan Parker logra un trabajo estupendamente llevado a la pantalla al que vale mucho la pena echarle un vistazo'

Full Review Source: Moviola | comment Comment
05/12/03
Jorge Avila Andrade
Jorge Avila Andrade
Moviola

It would take an intellect far superior to mine to explain the rationale -- or, for that matter, the release -- of David Gale.

Full Review Source: Slate | comment Comment
04/22/03
David Edelstein
David Edelstein
Slate

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
04/05/03
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

I ended up feeling sorry for Mr. Spacey, Ms. Winslet and Ms. Linney, so contrived was the foolishness in which they found themselves embroiled.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
04/04/03
Andrew Sarris
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Modamag.com | comment Comment
03/27/03
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
Modamag.com

Promises an intelligent debate about capital punishment but delivers a predictable thriller, directed with stunning amateurishness by Alan Parker.

Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
03/25/03
Kim Linekin
Kim Linekin
eye WEEKLY

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
03/24/03
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
03/23/03
Garth Franklin
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons

Worth seeing for Spacey and Linney but you'll spend more time arguing about the finale than you will about the issue behind it.

Full Review Source: RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) | comment Comment
03/13/03
Harry Guerin
Harry Guerin
RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)

Suffers from Parker's same overindulgence in making points at the expense of making stories.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/10/03
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

Grading on the curve, I give it high marks for trying something different, but somewhat lower ones for entertainment value.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
03/06/03
Rex Reed
Rex Reed
New York Observer
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
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