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Movies / Upcoming / 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

US Box Office: $19,593,740

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; Australian critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
05/30/03
Sydney Morning Herald
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Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
03/23/03
Garth Franklin
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

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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

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/07/04
Liz Beardsworth
Liz Beardsworth
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

... [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

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

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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

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
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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