The Life of David Gale (DVD, 2003, Widescreen)

Features Actors: Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney
Running Time:2Hrs 11 Min.
Rating:R

A former death-penalty abolitionist now on death row for the rape-murder of his colleague Gale is a Harvard-educated Rhodes Scholar who can make intellectual opacity simple for his students (who knew Jacques Lacan could be such fun?), is cute enough to get seduced by a student, and runs rhetorical circles around his conservative adversaries. As viewers of Hollywood movies, we are programmed to root for this white-bread hero, and get all teary-eyed at the thought that such a wondrous life is about to be wasted by the savages of the Texas judiciary.
But all The Life of David Gale needs is to point out that Gale is a white intellectual, and the real political problems behind the death penalty get swept behind the woodpile. Aw, we say, what a waste of genius. He must be innocent. And so, the "death row drama" begins its course according to Hollywood rules, as our requisite feisty reporter, who bears the comic-book name of Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet), races against time to save Gale from lethal injection.The film's climax even comes down to Bitsey running in silhouette down an empty road as Gale is marched to his execution.

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Don't be put off by one movie critic's assessment (morally dishonest, no stars) of this film - he just didn't "get it." This character driven murder mystery is one of the decade's best! Definitely four stars!

The layered conflicts drive the story forward like a Mack truck careening down the side of a mountain, making the movie seem much shorter than its 130 minutes. Kevin Spacey's compelling portrayal of David Gale, a brilliant, principled man with more than his share of human flaws and bad luck, is excellent and is surely Oscar material.

The story begins four days before Gale's execution in a Texas prison. Gale is finally breaking his years of silence by agreeing to tell his side of the story to news-magazine reporter, Bitsey Bloom. Skeptical that this Death Row inmate is out to convince her, and the world, of his innocence, Bitsey takes the assignment expecting it to be a typical, no-brainer.

Gale's story is told in a series of tightly choreographed flashback sequences, each building in character, motive and momentum toward an exciting and most unexpected conclusion.

The story also puts a very fine point on the debate over the death penalty and gives its audience something to talk & think about on the way home.

I REALLY LIKED this movie. I am a big fan of Kate Winslet. This gal can act. Totally different from Titanic. She is older & more mature. This movie keeps you guessing until the end. Puts a whole different spin on the Death Penalty. Possibly enough to change even the staunch person for the Death Penalty. I won't give away the plot. I bought it very reasonably for so much pleasure. I highly recommend this very dramatic & could be true movie.

ok..had actually movie case which makes me happy..its stupid when people just ship in a sleeve..awesome movie about capitol punishment and some flaws in the system..one of the greatest movies of all time!!!

This is a great movie! If you are a Kevin Spacey fan you will like it too! Plot twist at the end. Keeps you guessing!