The Life of David Gale (2003)
Genre: Drama / Crime
Duration: 130 minuten
Country:
United States / Germany / United Kingdom
Directed by: Alan Parker
Stars: Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet and Laura Linney
IMDb score:
7,5 (129.174)
Releasedate: 21 February 2003
The Life of David Gale plot
"The crime is clear. The truth is not."
The movie follows Dr. David Gale (Kevin Spacey), a professor at the University of Texas. Gale, a fervent opponent of the death penalty, is wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of a fellow activist. Journalist Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet) tries to uncover the story behind Gale's crime.
Actors and actresses
David Gale
Bitsey Bloom
Constance Hallaway
Berlin
Zack Stemmons
Dusty Wright
Duke Grover
Nico the Goth Girl
Barbara Kreuster
Joe Mullarkey
Reviews & comments
Insignificance
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- 3220 messages
- 5581 votes
Big slip from Parker. Film doesn't work in its build-up and once again fails miserably in finishing. Such a slippery lawyer doesn't bode well, but the mysterious cowboy is an immediate thorn in the side. The biggest problem, however, is the way in which Gale's story is mixed up with all kinds of dramatic hoopla. In a straightforward story it would already be generous lace, in these flashbacks, arising from only a few sessions and limited time, it is cumbersome, lavish and ultimately also disastrous.
The question arises why all this is discussed so emphatically, while the answer is more or less given in the first hour. Spacey has played more convincingly, but both journalists make a mess of it. A duo that, certainly in the second hour, is most reminiscent of sleuths from a cheap TV series somewhere in the eighties. Winslet, together with the rest of the film, finally falls through the basket in the far too transparent slot. A pretty soft with flashing words. shabby.
IH88
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- 9423 messages
- 3155 votes
“Are you sure you wanna see what's on here?”
Strong movie. The Life of David Gale provides enough material for a nice discussion about the ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding the death penalty (and how far people are willing to go to abolish the death penalty). But in the end nothing will change of course (the film also shows this). David, Constance and Dusty's plan will ultimately bring little change.
The Life of David Gale has an intriguing premise, but it's also just a strong film. Although the script sometimes falls short. The demise of David Gale is certainly long and the focus should have been more on the main subject (the death penalty) and the interview between Gale and Bitsey. Because Spacey and Winslet are doing great and more scenes with this duo together would have been nice. The twist at the end is interesting and also gives a somewhat sour aftertaste.
Collins
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- 6820 messages
- 4059 votes
Life imitates Art. With today's knowledge, the film with Kevin Spacey in the lead role has a somewhat sour aftertaste. Kevin Spacey in prison on charges of rape and murder. If you cannot separate the artist from his work of art, perhaps you should not see the film.
The score was composed by director Alan Parker's son. Nice music with a melancholic sound that has been very cleverly pasted under certain key scenes and in general fits well with the story of a man waiting for his death sentence. The tune settled in my head. After watching the movie, I came across it in unguarded moments for a few more days.
The film is quite exciting, although the final twist is very far fetched. Good acting is half the battle. The characters are somewhat stereotypical and flat colored and actually not very interesting. However, the acting is of such a level that the viewer can identify with the characters quite well. And identification is always good for the experience and the tension.
A pleasant storytelling style with many flashbacks ensures that the viewer is presented with the history that led to the capture of Spacey in pleasant puzzle pieces. Also good for tension.
But yeah. That last twist. The film could have functioned just fine without the final twist. It's not that the ending ruins the film, but it did raise my eyebrows high. Despite this annoying phenomenon, a satisfying feeling prevails at the end. For the most part, the film is exciting and entertaining.
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