Starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney, Gabriel Mann, Matt Craven, Rhona Mitra

Plot Summary David Gale is a man who has tried hard to live by his principles but, in a bizarre twist of fate, this devoted father, popular professor and respected death penalty opponent finds himself on Death Row for the rape and murder of fellow activist Constance Harraway. With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give Pulitzer-hungry reporter Bitsey Bloom the exclusive interview she's been chasing. But Bitsey soon realizes that this assignment is more than she bargained for, and that a man's life is in her hands. Putting her own safety in jeopardy, she frantically races to piece together the shocking events surrounding Constance's death before it's too late.

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I'm probably going to rate this movie as higher than it deserves because right after viewing the film I got to see a Q and A with Kevin Spacey and am in awe of how cool a guy he is. Props to Spacey, but not much for the movie.

Though I didn't hate it like most of the reviews I read, I didn't like it all too much either. EBERT GAVE IT ZERO STARS. EVEN "OLD SCHOOL" HAD ONE. That's sad. But my justification for disliking it is probably personal bias. While I agree that the movie was slightly shady on the position it was taking on the death penalty, it seemed to lean more towards being anti-death. This I am discordance with. For one, I agree that some innocents land on the death row, but the fault there lies in the justice system, not the actual punishment itself. If they were more precise about investigating the case and had substantial evidence rather then just killing people off at the slightest offense, then there would be less mishaps around the issue. But other than that, what's wrong with it? If someone's a convicted murderer and confesses to it, what's seriously wrong with the dealth penalty. First of all, they decided to take a life. Secondly, some people take even more than just one. It's ridiculous that we'd support people like that so they can possibly get out of jail in the future and do it again. Most people just don't think in terms of themselves and thus find compassion for the murderer. They are selfish because the act hasn't happened to them. But if the victim was a loved one, they'd think twice. Dude, in China they execute people for killing the endangered panda species. America is already considered pretty lax in their laws. So if I were to review it in this respect I'd give it like one stake too. But, if you ignore the politics behind it and treat it as a regular thriller then it's different. The story is intriguing (well, it IS a murder mystery) and it's shot well enough to keep you interested (although I found the flashes of words between every act kind of lame).

I can't really say that much more, because it is a mystery and the directing wasn't that special that I feel the need to comment on it. As far as acting though, I thought for the most part everyone was fairly mediocre. I'm probably going to get sacked, but I Kevin Spacey was just alright in this movie. I agree that he is an amazing actor, and I LOVE him in "American Beauty" but he is pretty run of the mill here. First of all, I don't like the way he portrays the guy in jail. When he first came out, it was soooooo Hannibal Lecter. The way he was so calm and all enigmatic just screamed "I ate his liver with some farva beans and a nice chiante." And no way can you beat Hopkins at Dr. Lecter so it came off as contrived. As regular David Gale he wasn't as bad, but David Gale was a pussy of a guy so he didn't evoke much sympathy from me. As for Kate Winslet though, I forgot how good of an actress she is. She plays a character with the stupidest name (Bitzsey Bloom, ok Olive Oil!) but is pretty intense and into it. I dig that. I dug it in Titanic and Quills, and dig it here. No one else in the movie makes a big enough impression for commenting except for the minute role Rhona Mitra has in it. But as usual, she plays "the hot chick" and disappears off the scene really quickly after flashing some T & A. Wasted.

Overall, the movie is really dark, especially when they start counting down to the wire. There are graphic images in the movie, that seriously makes you want the murderer to get the death penalty for the cruel misconduct that goes on. That's why it's ridiculous in pitching to be anti-death penalty I think. If you treat it as a typical thriller it's fairly engaging but way on the side of macabre. Too dark for my taste.

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Frey:

I don't know what the heck critics are talking about. The Life of David Gale is a great movie. As always, Kevin Spacey does not disappoint. I seem to be disagreeing with critics a lot lately. But you know what? I feel that someone needs to be the voice of the common folk. Someone who doesn't know what actually goes into the process of making a great
film. And that someone is me.

The Life of David Gale is about an anti-death penalty activist who finds
himself on death row after being convicted of the rape and murder of his
colleague and fellow activist Constance, played by Laura Linney. David
Gale grants an interview to a reporter just four days before his day of execution. He gives the reporter the task of proving his innocence so that his son can remember him as a great man.

The film addresses the very touchy issue of the death penalty. Many critics have labeled this movie as blatant propaganda without a clearly defined stance on the issue. They claim that the film's argument is unclear and it is unknown what message it is trying to send. However, I
think the message is clear. The film is very much anti-death penalty. It makes the point that the system has flaws and innocent people are urrently in death row. It also makes it known that there are people out there who are willing to go to great length to put a moratorium on capital punishment.

The cast of this movie is fantastic. Kevin Spacey is one of the greatest actors of our time. I have yet to see him in a movie that I do not like. One of the best scenes of the movie is when David Gale is in a televised debate with the governor of Texas. The scene shows the actor's range by allowing him to be the clever, quick-witted college professor as well as the overzealous activist. Kate Winslet also does a remarkable job in the movie. If I didn't know any better, I would swear that she's a full-blooded American.

My only complaint about the movie is that it was a bit predictable. I had heard that there was a twist at the end and therefore I was expecting the
unexpected. And as the movie went on, I could guess what the ending would be. However, it was still fun to see it all played out.

So, is the Life of David Gale blatant propaganda? Sure. I don't see anything wrong with that. Movies are a form of expression. If the moviemakers wish to express their views on the death penalty, so be it. No one's forcing people to watch it and heed its every word. Take it however you wish. I'm taking it as good entertainment.