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The Life of David Gale

(2003, Rated R, Drama, Starring Laura Linney, Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    An overripe melodrama--a time waster.

Why We Rated This off for Ages 16 and Under

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Strong women, all major characters white
  • Violence:

    Explicit snuff film-style footage
  • Sex:

    Explicit sex, sexual references, rape charges, non-sexual nudity
  • Language:

    Some very strong language
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Character abuses alcohol
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Life of David Gale

Parents need to know that this movie includes very mature material. There are sexual references and explicit sexual situations, including rape charges. A student offers a teacher sex for a passing grade (he declines). There is also non-sexual nudity and footage that may show a murder. Characters use strong language and one abuses alcohol, ultimately becoming an alcoholic. The movie also features suicide in what could be seen as an approving manner.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the death penalty. They might want to look at information on sites like Death Penalty Info and Pro Death Penalty to learn more about the current debate on that issue. Families should also talk about how David's choices relate to the lecture he gave his class. Is our greatest happiness in dreaming of future happpiness? What must we do to make our lives meaningful? How do our values inform our choices? What will David's son think about his choices?

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