Rating: 
Summary: Love it or hate it, it's worth a watch
Review: The issue of capital punishment and the death penalty is a very hotly debated topic, like abortion. Who gives people the right to take life and play God and so on and what if the executed were innocent is some anti-death penalty remarks. The movie ends with a quite shocking ending but a rather cheapened one. Kevin Spacey plays David Gale, a respected college professor and active member of DeathWatch, an anti-government group. One night while drunk, he has sex with a willing college student. However, she turns the tables and pulls rape charges. Afterwards, his life goes to hell: he gets a divorce, fired from the school and everyone avoids him. He is then charged and put on death row for the murder of his friend, Constance(played very well by Laura Linney). All this is told years later to a reporter, Bitsey Bloom. He's being executed in 4 days and it's up to her to find out the truth. Very good acting and a touchy subject. The only problem I had was with the ending. It was shocking to see but it cheapened David's cause, but the film's worth watching
Rating: 
Summary: Where is this movie coming from? Left? Right? or Abstract?
Review: I found this movie to be quite well done, and I frankly don't see what all the whining is about from people who say that this movie is Anti-Death-Penalty. I suppose by creating a movie that features a main character (David Gale) who is an activist against the death penalty it suddenly becomes a movie that is 'propaganda' against the death penalty? This is the silliest thing I've ever heard! And if you watch the movie and recognize it as the work of art that it is, you would agree. When it comes down to it, I find that this movie has just as many arguments against anti-death penalty views as it does for. For instance, one of the main veins of the plot is featured in a radio broadcast with the Governer of Texas and Gale. Gale goes off on a tangent and the Governer comes right back at him with the question "Give me the name of one innoncent person who was killed through the death penalty". David has no answer...because as far as he knows there hadn't been any innoncent victims of the death penalty.
Hello, did people miss this part? I mean this is a clear thread that supports the death penalty and it fits in to be an important part of the story. Without giving away the ending to the movie, because that is one of the story's strongest features, the ending, I will say this to all of those who are so quick to have their political viewpoints 'hurt' by this film: How valid is the point which was sent through the ending? Consider who was involved. Which was more perfect, the framing of Gale...or of the system that prosecuted him? In the desperation to make a case for something, one, lost in their passion, will go to great lengths...sometimes false lengths. I feel that this is a higher point made by this movie...whether or not the director intended it. So, in conclusion, I see this movie not as an anti-death penalty, nor as a pro-death penalty, but instead as an abstract depiction of the human ambition. It is a work of art...not some small minded propaganda as some are saying. If you watch this movie looking for something to whine about because the whole world doesn't believe exactly as you do, at least have the integrity to not taint the film with your poor-me's. The evidence is all in the movie. It is a film that points neither left, nor right, but points all-encompassing. That is what art is, a medium which transcends the limitations of the human mind. Whatever your views are, indulge with great pleasure!
Rating: 
Summary: When bad movies happen to good actors. . .
Review: I was told to watch this movie by people claiming it was, "The best ever", "keeps you on the edge of your seat", "The ending was amazing". I disagreed with all three of those people, especially that last one!
What starts off as being a highly interesting and thought provoking suspenseful drama, soon turns into predictable and preachy dreck. The "surprise" ending can be figured out by anyone with a couple of brain cells 45 minutes into the movie. The actors were great, but really, if you want a GOOD Alan Parker movie, skip this and rent "Angel Heart".
Rating:
Summary: Good Start - Predictable Finish
Review: This film had some very intriquing elements to it. Kate Winslet was solid and Kevin Spacey was excellent. The direction by Alan Parker gave it the eerie elements that keep you uneasy throughout. However, as the story unfolds it becomes somewhat predictable where it is heading. This cheapens the ending but the film is still worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Film that leaves you speechless
Review: This was a movie that I rented on a whim, it turned out to be much more than I bargained for, and I mean this in the best possible way. I loved this film because it not only got across a point which I personally believe in, but it was perfectly cast. Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney, and Kate Winslet were all perfect, as was the rest of the cast! They sucked me in, and for the entirety of the movie, I couldn't turn away. I was shocked at the ending, and I loved it as well. There is an extremely good love scene towards the end of the movie, that truly shows the meaning of loyalty, devotion, and love. It wasn't lustful, it was just beautiful. All in all this movie, although blatantly political, was a screenplay and cinematic masterpiece! Hope you rent it!
Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful and Haunting
Review: The performances of Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney, and Kate Winslet are extraordinary in this sleeper hit. Spacey plays David Gale, a philosophy professor and doting father who finds himself on Death Row for the rape and murder of his friend, Constance Hallaway (played by Laura Linney). With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale chooses reporter Elizabeth Bloom, played by Winslet, for a series of final interviews to explain how he has been wrongly convicted. "Bitsey", as Elizabeth goes by (it's a little hard to believe she allows herself to go by this nickname, as she seems to want to be taken seriously), finds herself caught up in Gale's story and becomes sympathetic with his misfortunes and she begins examining the loose threads that made up his eventual conviction. If you have strong pro-death penalty opinions or are religiously devoted, and are not open minded about this issue, you may want to take a pass on this film. Devoted Bush fans may also not be impressed, as you can't help notice the subtle poking fun of Texas and Texan politicians in the movie. This movie is done with flashbacks, which creates suspense and interest. The flashback scene that begins the movie is of a car breaking down, and this reoccurs and is foreshadowed throughout the movie enough so that by the end, you're pretty sure how things are going to turn out. However, you will find yourself surprised because there's more to this film than a predictable ending and a nicely tied up story.
Rating:
Summary: Political
Review: Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet star in "The Life of David Gale" as a death row inmate and a news reporter. They carry their emotions gracefully giving this movie the emotion it needs. The writers found a unique style to darken death row more than the average movie. The debates about politics are eye opening to many. The editors add handwritten words and images to desplict the intensity of the next scene. The many surprises will keep the audience watching every scene closely wondering what will happen next. Those who look away for a second will not understand the rest of the movie unless they rewind it. The end has the biggest surprise(shhhhh). Afterward, one will not be disappointed, rather enlightened.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely well written
Review: I did not know what to expect when I sat down to watch this movie, but I soon found out. This one made me think like no movie has done in a long time. I am pro-capital punishment, but after watching this...I realize that there are some flaws in the system that may never be fixed unless there are people out there to fight for them. The DVD contains good extra features such as the making of the movie where the directors take you to Huntsville, TX where the story takes place. All the places were real which makes the movie even more believeable. It was very well written and directed and the actors were perfect for their parts.
Rating: 
Summary: someone shoulda put this turkey to death
Review: I can't believe that there are so many good reviews of this movie on Amazon. This movie absolutely stunk. You knew exactly what was going on 20 minutes into it. I kept watching, hoping that there would be some twist that would save it... but there wasn't. Believe me folks, this movie is pretty darn close to being as bad as The Postman or The Patriot. I ordinarily don't write reviews, but the reviewers so far must be related to the filmmakers or paid to say nice things or something. This movie is an insult to intelligent movie-goers. Fair warning.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely good at points, but disappointing in the end.
Review: Since the theatrical release of this movie, I have wanted to see it, but since I am only 16 I can not get into R rated movies to easily, unless I want my 40 year old parents there, so I decided to wait until it came out on video and just buy it. So, what did I do when it came out? I bought it. I watched it. I had very high expectations because I love movies that have twists and turns and unexpected storylines involved. So, here's the premise of the movie. A brilliant philosophy professor, David Gale (Spacey), is accused of murdering a fellow death penalty abolishonist, Constance (Linney). Gale grants a reporter, Bitsey Bloom (Winslet), 3 interviews, 2 hours a day, the three days before his execution is scheduled to take place. Bitsey goes to the interview solidly believing he is guilty. But as he tells his story, she starts wondering if he is actually guilty, and goes searching for clues, to prove or disprove his verdict. That's really all I can say, I suppose, without giving out too much. This movie is VERY good in some parts, but once one part of the plot is revealed, it was easy to guess the so-called "heart-pounding conclusion," or the quote that is on the DVD cover. The other reason this movie only got 3 stars, was that it was a play for morality, and basically just a message that the death penalty is wrong and the justice system is flawed. I do not need a morality trip on a movie, I want entertainment, and it leaves you feeling downright stupid, to be blunt, especially if you are a Texan, if you support the death penalty.
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