Quickie: The Life of David Gale - Movie Review

Ego, desire: a half martyr is no good to us

The Life of David Gale is a drama based around David Gale (Kevin Spacey) and his convicted rape and murder of fellow activist Constance Harraway (Laura Linney). Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet), news reporter, is drafted in by Gale not to stop his death sentence, or prove he did not do it, but to find out "why" and to make sure people remember him for what lived for and not for why he died, interestingly it eventually becomes apparent that his reason for living and dieing were the same.

Overall The Life of David Gale is kind of a predicatable film, but it's told very well - and led by the ever brilliant Kevin Spacey, acting his socks of as David Gale. Kate Winslet puts in a decent performance as Spacey's female lead, Bitsey Bloom, and has really made me question her talent (for the better!) as of late. (Although technically, by "as of late" I mean the films I've seen her in and not those she has done most recently.)

The most effective part of the film is that you really feel for Gale right up until the last second when you realise he wasn't doing it to prove a point but because of his ego and, as he describes in his own words about a woman who does the same to him.."(she did it to) Poke her finger at authority, show the powers that be how much smarter she was" - this is not a preachy film about the death penalty, nor should it be advertised as being. Once you see the last scene that will become apparent to you. This film is about sacrificing yourself for your desire because (another quote) "(T)he moment... the second... that you get what you seek... you don't... you can't want it anymore."

It's a good movie, solid. Kate Winslet is Ok, Spacey is a diamond. It's certainly worth a shot, especially if you're a die hard Spacey fan.

3 out of 5

(It's easily a 4 if you're a fan of Kevin Spacey)