 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Life of David Gale
- Review Date: July 20, 2003
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
An overripe melodrama -- a time waster.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
This drama centers on Texas philosophy professor turned death row inmate David Gale (Kevin Spacey), who agrees to his first interview just days before he is to be executed for a brutal rape/murder. David and the murder victim, Constance (Laura Linney) had been co-leaders of a group that opposed the death penalty. He will speak to only one journalist, a reporter for a weekly news magazine named Bitsy (Kate Winslet) who herself has just been released after serving a week in prison for refusing to reveal a source. The terms of the interview are that David will be paid half a million dollars in cash and that Bitsy will see him for two hours a day on the last three days before the execution. Is the evidence against David overwhelming? Does Bitsy come to believe he is innocent? Does possibly exonerating evidence show up at almost the last minute?
Is it any good?
Somewhere between potboiler and polemic, THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE is an overripe melodrama that signals every one of its plot twists as ham-handedly as it bangs out its message. Does the car break down so that Bitsy has to run to the prison at the real last minute? Do people in this movie continually behave in the dopiest possible way in an unsuccessful attempt to create some suspense and conceal the "surprise" ending? Oh, yes. Does it work? Oh, no.
Spacey and Winslet give their weakest performances ever. Linney manages one brief believable moment when she is discussing Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' stages in confronting death (though she gets them in the wrong order). The best performance is by Matt Craven as another opponent of the death penalty. He has almost no lines but manages to bring a little dignity to his moments on screen.
What 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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AGE
The Life Of David Gale Is Not For Kids!!!
This Movie Is Sick Has Sex Talk Prostitution And Some Violent Themes This Movie Revolves Around A Man Which Has A Hard Time Keeping Up It And He Does A Lot Of Crime Including A Suicide A Man Chopping Another Man's Arm Off With A Cleaver And Of Course A Man Get's Stabbed And He Dies Unrated Version!
And Some Alcohol Is Present In The Movie There Is A Abusive Father Who Uses It And Drinks Beer And He Says Some Strong Language That Is Not Okay And This Movie Is Not Recommended For Kids 14 & Up!
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Alan Parker |
| Cast: | Kate Winslet, Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 130 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 21, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | July 22, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violent images, nudity, language and sexuality |
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