The Life of David Gale

Good film, but I have several problems with it. I didn’t mind much the strong political stance regarding the death penalty, because, even if I’m more on the side of the fence the film is against, this is a topic where I can understand and accept the arguments on both sides. What bothered me a lot is that the script gives the savvy viewer an unnecessary chance to ruin the surprise. I figured out the twist (and I don’t mean any other twist, but the main “schock” in the last scene) about twenty minutes in. I know it exactly, because I looked at the clock so, in case I would be right, I could boast about how savvy I am :-D. The script is so loose, for instance, I didn’t find very convincing the relationship between the two journalists. And the last quibble is personal: Kevin Spacey is one of my favourite actors, but as the philosophy professor David Gale, I realised how similar he is to one university professor that taught us philosophy in secondary school, and from that moment on, his performance felt weird… (29/06/2011)

A psychologically plausible, classically refined Parker's study of an event that happens to eight out of ten well oriented teachers in a lifetime, and with great performances to boot! While Spacey rocks again, and a single glance through the bars trumps Kate Winslet's performance that is as eager as a Titanic's frozen swimmer, Laura Linney's honest to goodness supporting role does here is truly breathtaking at times. The complexity and slight chaotic nature of the screenplay does hinder the oppressive and depressing atmosphere in some passages, but the very strong, unexpected ending tips the scales back to the film's favour. And after all, tell me, the eternal student Rhona Mitra teasingly spanking her ass in front of the sink, who the hell needs a clearer hint? Only David Gale and an idiot. 80% (21/03/2014)

Something is rotten in the state of Texas. Although, in the end, this doesn’t really apply... Alan Parker chose a fascinating theme and excellent actors. And he turned them into an above-average picture where political activism is not a dirty word. Parker trips up a little over the over-transparent screenplay. When a filmmaker reveals his hand already at the half-way point of a movie, then there isn’t much point in developing on this revelation for the entire final half-hour. This isn’t a shortcoming that wrecks the movie, but it does make it difficult to sympathize fully with the characters and so the emotional experience is affected. But since this is such an above-average picture, despite the above this is certainly no time-waster. In fact, it is quite the opposite. (27/08/2007)

This film represents an interesting contribution to the discussion about the death penalty. It relies on the central acting duo of Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet, who rightfully among the best US actors, and if the film works and earns points, it is primarily due to them. The script is a bit shaky, and some details are not well thought out, such as the key to the victim's shackles or the fact that the money obtained from the publishing house is delivered to the survivors by the person who is being chased at the same time and it is in his best interest to disappear as soon as possible. The briefcase could have been easily delivered by a lawyer or someone authorized by him. However, if one overlooks these moments and focuses on the atmosphere and chemistry between the main characters, it is enough for satisfaction and four stars. All in all, it is a decent psychological drama dealing with a burning issue. By the way, DNA tests are currently being conducted in relation to older criminal cases that ended in execution, and it has been found that 5% of those executed did not commit their crime. That is an unpleasantly high number... Overall impression: 75%. (29/06/2009)

The gala performance of the trio Spacey-Winslet-Linney and the story with a strong message. However, the sometimes confusing direction and the pace of storytelling occasionally detract from its overall assessment, with plot twists coming one after another at times, while other times the whole drama just lazily stays in one place. It doesn't bother me, but it unnecessarily disrupts the impression of coherence. (04/02/2006)