Directed by Alan Parker
Screenplay by Charles Randolph

Kevin Spacey .... Dr. David Gale
Kate Winslet .... Elizabeth (Bitsey) Bloom
Laura Linney .... Constance Hallaway
Gabriel Mann .... Zack
Matt Craven .... Dusty
Rhona Mitra .... Berlin
Leon Rippy .... Braxton Belyeu
Jim Beaver .... Duke Grover

Produced by
Moritz Borman .... executive producer
Nicolas Cage .... producer
Guy East .... executive producer
Norman Golightly .... co-executive producer
Lisa Moran .... co-producer
Alan Parker .... producer
Nigel Sinclair .... executive producer
David Wimbury .... line producer

Original Music by Alex Parker and Jake Parker
Cinematography byMichael Seresin
Film Editing byGerry Hambling

MPAA: Rated R for violent images, nudity, language and sexuality.
Runtime: UK:130 min
For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, and MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG

The Life of David Gale
by Dewey Gram
David Gale (Spacey), a professor at the University of Texas and an ardent anti-death penalty activist, sits on death row, having been convicted of rape and murder of a fellow activist (Linney). A persistent investigative journalist Bitsey Bloom (Winslet) gains access to Gale for an exclusive interview before he is put to death, and learns there is much more to the story than meets the eye.

Gale provides Bloom with information that may lead to more than just his innocence. As Bloom investigates the leads, she begins to believe they really did arrest the wrong man -- but can she actually prove it before Gale's date with destiny arrives?

In Charles Randolph's original screenplay, David Gale (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 Harraway (Linney). With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give reporter Elizabeth (Bitsey) Bloom (Winslet) the exclusive interview she's been chasing. But Bitsey soon realizes that this assignment is more than she bargained for, and that a man's life is in her hands. Putting her own safety in jeopardy, she frantically races to piece together the shocking events surrounding Constance's death, before it's too late.

When I first saw the trailer for this film I thought it might be a political film against the death penalty. I was totally surprised to discover that this film does not take a simplistic position. Rather, it explores different sides of a complicated issue within the context of a mystery story. I have always enjoyed stories with unexpected turns and surprise endings. And this film is just that.

Both Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet always pick such interesting films. They avoid typecasting. They're films are always so fresh. Director Alan Parker has done everything from Fame to Midnight Express. He too, is always fresh.

This film has given Alan Parker the arena to explore the death penalty, a discussion he considers important. Parker is not one dimensional. This story is just as complicated and involving as the issue is.

The tagline for this film is: "The crime is clear. The truth is not." And that just about sums up the film. What is true regarding any given situation is subject to various interpretations. Because of this, I am glad God is the final judge!

One of the great things about the American film industry is that it has the liberty to explore issues, take positions, or just ask important questions. Free speech and artistic expression are wonderful things.

This is a film that I would recommend for an adult discussion group. The death scene is not for the kids (be warned), but it makes for interesting adult conversation starters.

Is the death penalty a violation of God's image?

Is the taking of human life ever okay? If so, when?

If the death penalty is not okay, what about abortion?

Should capital punishment be abolished?

When should the death penalty be imposed?

If the death penalty is proper, how can we be sure the innocent people have not been wrongly convicted?

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