The Life of David Gale

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The Life of David Gale

R

2003

2h 10m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

155 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

David Gale (Kevin Spacey) 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 Hallaway (Laura Linney). With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give reporter Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet) the exclusive interview she's been chasing.

Critics Consensus

Instead of offering a convincing argument against the death penalty, this implausible, convoluted thriller pounds the viewer over the head with its message.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/28/2010

2/5

An overripe melodrama -- a time waster.

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David Edelstein

Slate

04/22/2003

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

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

04/04/2003

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

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Glenn Dunks

Junkee

01/13/2014

D

...one of the most offensively cheap and concocted 'twist' endings of all time

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

02/18/2013

C

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

04/29/2009

Manages to offend the same people it seeks to defend with the most ridiculous and nonsensical endings that I've ever seen.

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Gi S

@Gistevenn Apr 17

Great acting performances by kevin spacey & kate winslet.

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Liesl L.

@liesll Jan 19

I think this was a well told story and had great intrigue. My only criticism is the hammy titles and transitions.

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Sams K

@RT65506530 08/27/2024

This one hits hard! Great film with a very deep message.

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Grant H

@RT15650419 07/09/2024

It's a real shame as this film has some really good ingredients including a fantastic cast and characters as well as the over arching theme of the death penalty. It's certainly a watchable tale, even 20 years on. However some key elements of the story are clumsily written and I'm sure could have been far more gracefully spun into the script and end product.

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Courtney K

@c0urtn3y 06/02/2024

even though the ending is predictable now, it probably wasn't 20 years ago when it came out - Kate & Kevin played their parts really well & overall I really love movies like this. i thought it was well done. a really good watch overall.

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inta k

@intuciic 03/30/2024

very good movie, interesting plot

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Alan Parker

Director

Kevin Spacey

David Gale

Kate Winslet

Elizabeth "Bitsey" Bloom

Laura Linney

Constance Harraway

Gabriel Mann

Zack

Matt Craven

Dusty

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Synopsis

David Gale (Kevin Spacey) 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 Hallaway (Laura Linney). With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give reporter Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet) the exclusive interview she's been chasing.

Director: Alan Parker
Producer: Alan Parker, Nicolas Cage
Screenwriter: Charles Randolph
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Saturn Films, InterMedia Film Equities Ltd.
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Violent Images)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 21, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.6M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)