Life of David Gale (2003)

"While it won't win any awards, it's mildly clever and entertaining...even while being a bit annoying.  John Venable, Supercala.com

Editor's Note 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.

	Kate Winslet
	Kevin Spacey
	Laura Linney
	Leon Rippy
	Matt Craven
	Rhona Mitra
	Gabriel Mann
	Michael Seresin - Cinematographer
	Alan Parker - Director
	Gerry Hambling - Editor
	Alan Parker - Producer
	Nicolas Cage - Producer
	Charles Randolph - Screenplay

San Francisco Examiner 5 of 10
First-time screenwriter Charles Randolph has figured out a way to combine his message movie with a more generic race-against-time thriller. And while the combination provides a kind of novelty that works for a while, it ultimately falls apart and lays bare its true essence: that of a mediocre message movie combined with a mediocre race-against-time thriller. - Jeffrey M. Anderson

James Berardinelli's ReelViews 8 of 10
Director Alan Parker has a solid resume, with movies like The Commitments and Angela's Ashes dotting it. He will not be ashamed to add The Life of David Gale to that filmography. The picture is neither flawless nor foolproof, but it's smart and tight enough to keep audiences off-balance and entertained for the running length. It doesn't hurt that it ponders the same questions that many people privately consider concerning the Death Penalty - and that it doesn't insult us by pretending to have a better answer than the one each of us has privately reached. - James Berardinelli