Taglines: The crime is clear. The truth is not.
A University of Texas professor of philosophy and capital punishment abolitionist, David Gale, is on Death Row convicted of the rape and murder of his best friend, Constance Harraway, who was the leader of the local branch of Death Watch, an organization campaigning against the death penalty. Days before his execution, skeptical journalist Bitsey Bloom is sent by the weekly news magazine where she works to conduct David Gale’s final interview. She is accompanied by intern reporter, Zack Stemmons.
Gale’s lawyer is Braxton Belyeu, an ageing eccentric with a long ponytail. We learn that Gale asked specifically for Bloom, and will talk only to her. They are to have two hours on each of three consecutive days, after which Gale will be executed at 6 o’clock in the evening of the fourth day. Belyeu and Stemmons leave the prison and Gale starts to tell Bloom his story, which we see in a series of flashbacks.
Gale’s marriage was in difficulties, and relations with his wife Sharon strained, but he was devoted to his small son Jamie. We see Gale lecturing on philosophy to a large class of students. Then a couple of minutes before the end of the lecture period a beautiful female student named Berlin arrives noisily and Gale pauses while she takes her seat.
As the students leave after dismissal, Berlin apologizes for being late and tells Gale she’ll do “anything” for a better term mark. He tells her quietly but firmly that the way to get a better mark is to study. However, not long after that Gale finds himself one evening at a party with faculty and students, and Berlin catches him alone in a luxurious bathroom. Locking the door, she tells him she isn’t his student any more (since she’s been expelled from school), and that she wants sex with him anyway.
The Life of David Gale is a 2003 American drama film directed by Alan Parker (in his final film as a director) and written by Charles Randolph. The film is an international co-production, between the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Kevin Spacey played the eponymous character, a college professor and longtime activist against capital punishment who is sentenced to death for killing a fellow capital punishment opponent. Kate Winslet and Laura Linney co-star.
The Life of David Gale was shot in multiple places, including Huntsville, Texas, Sam Houston State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Garrison Hall, KLRU-TV, Metro Espresso Bar (now Cafe Medici), 2222 Guadalupe St, Cain and Abel’s Bar at Austin, Gumbo’s Louisiana Style Cafe and Plaça Reial, Barcelona.
The soundtrack (composed by Alex and Jake Parker) has been used in various film trailers, specifically the tracks “The Life of David Gale” and “Almost Martyrs”. The score has been used in the trailers for World Trade Center, Munich, In the Valley of Elah, Milk, The Artist and The Iron Lady.
The Life of David Gale (2003)
Directed by: Alan Parker
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney, Matt Craven, Jim Beaver, Rhona Mitra, Brandy Little, Gabriel Mann, Cindy Waite, Leon Rippy, Jesse De Luna
Screenplay by: Charles Randolph
Production Design by: Geoffrey Kirkland
Cinematography by: Michael Seresin
Film Editing by: Gerry Hamblin
Costume Design by: Renee Ehrlich Kalfus
Set Decoration by: Jennifer Williams
Music by: Alex Parker, Jake Parker
MPAA Rating: R for violent images, nudity, language and sexuality.
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release Date: February 21, 2093
Visits: 161
