The Life of David Gale

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The Life of David Gale

R

Released Feb 21, 2003

2h 10m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

156 Reviews

81%

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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.

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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

An overripe melodrama -- a time waster.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 28, 2010

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David Edelstein

Slate

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

Apr 22, 2003

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

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

Apr 4, 2003

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Glenn Dunks

Junkee

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

Rated: D

Jan 13, 2014

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: C

Feb 18, 2013

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

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

Apr 29, 2009

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Sams K

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

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Grant H

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

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Courtney K

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

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Crystal S

Kevin Spacey gives life to this amazing storyline, it made me wonder how often innocent people are found guilty.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

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inta k

very good movie, interesting plot

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

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David A

Great story, great cast and keeps you guessing until the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

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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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20%

36%

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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)

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