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The Life of David Gale

The Life of David Gale

2003
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 10m
David Gale (Spacey) is a man who has tried 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 a fellow activist (Linney). He decides to confide in a reporter (Winslet) who quickly realizes that a man's life is in her hands. (Universal Pictures)
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The Life of David Gale

2003
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 10m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 52.16% from 2862 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(2862)
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Rated 04 Mar 2008
74
13th
A waste of Spacey.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
37
4th
Absolutely preposterous. What was Alan Parker thinking? He's really gone downhill.
Rated 12 Mar 2010
70
14th
Far-fetched plot, thematically incoherent.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
67
50th
This movie got bashed by critics, but I liked it quite a bit. Kevin Spacey was in usual form, and my girl Kate Winslet was awesome too.
Rated 08 Oct 2007
90
94th
Very good that movie! Talks about a very serious subject, which is the death penalty in the United States. Marvelous!
Rated 10 Apr 2009
5
44th
Average, I can't believe all the people who unfairly bash it. I mean yes, it's too preachy and that twist ending was pretty lame but up to that it was a well made movie. Wasn't crazy about the editing and it could've been better. Let's chalk it up to failed potential.
Rated 11 Jan 2007
20
11th
Hahahaha, what?
Rated 24 Feb 2007
60
62nd
Good film.
Rated 20 May 2007
65
35th
Disturbing.
Rated 21 May 2007
70
58th
Decent film. Spacey is incredible as usual.
Rated 08 Jun 2007
70
32nd
Could have been a better indictment of the death penalty, but it was all over the place.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
19
1st
What a mess of a film. Don't waste your time...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
9th
The jumpy style that the director engages in really ruins the movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
25
2nd
A stupid, stupid movie that seems to completely undermine whatever point it was trying to make. Wasted performances all around. Check out Ebert's review.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
72nd
Engaging, intellectual plot with a clever ending.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
27th
This has controversy about sentencing someone to death (something frowned upon by most part of the 'civilized' world, yet Americans seems to advocate it) written all over it. It's not the best movie, but it does raise interesting questions. The plot is a bit predictable and the acting could be better but all and all not a bad movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
58th
kevin spacey is great as a death row political professor.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
2nd
Dull.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
0th
Alan Parker's less-than-convincing depiction of one brilliant professor's attempt to screw the American legal system, even at great personal cost, doesn't really add up. Strong performances by the always-reliable Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney and Kate Winslet, and a very gripping narrative that stumbles only in the last 15 minutes or so do ensure that you will not be bored.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
5
0th
If you're against the death penalty then this awful film may change your mind.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
36th
Rhona Mitra brings the heat to this otherwise bland movie
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
70th
Interesting. Better than I expected. I watched it all the way through.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
45
19th
Great actors; terrible movie.
Rated 27 Dec 2007
60
1st
Um filme que chega a ser comovente mas o tema está tão fora da minha realidade e o filme é tão lento e entediante que estraga suas qualidades. Acho que ideologia tem que ser bela e as vezes fútil, pop.
Rated 07 Jan 2008
65
42nd
People are to hard on it, it's quite alright really.
Rated 06 Feb 2008
9
3rd
OOOOH A TWISSSTTTTTT
Rated 02 Apr 2008
1
3rd
Amazingly terrible on many fronts.
Rated 07 Apr 2008
62
17th
There are parts I quite liked, but I'd really rather forget it was ever made. . .
Rated 16 Apr 2008
36
17th
There was a lot of hype surrounding the film's ending, so I wanted to see what all the hooplah was about. I must say, I'm disappointed. There's too many heavy-handed lines of foreshadowing dialog, too many overly-melodramatic scenes for Spacey to plod through for the ending to be a surprise. When you go in expecting the unexpected, you need something really twisted to throw you off. This movie doesn't offer it. It's extreme, but if you can't see it coming, I question if you've ever seen a movie.
Rated 27 Jun 2008
75
86th
Nice
Rated 10 Aug 2008
95
46th
good...
Rated 28 Sep 2008
95
91st
Awesome twists and turns. Spacey is amazing as always. This is a really awesomely twisted flick that I would advise anyone to watch.
Rated 12 Oct 2008
85
82nd
A very good film about the death penalty. Yet another great example of how awesome Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney are.
Rated 18 Nov 2008
85
98th
Brilliant plot and cast!
Rated 17 Jan 2009
87
82nd
Excellent.
Rated 04 Feb 2009
61
54th
A strong subject and quite a good performance.
Rated 20 Feb 2009
70
57th
Very good actors who played their part well. An honest attempt on the fight against death row. Expected better from Alan Parker.
Rated 26 Mar 2009
59
48th
I've got no complains for the cast or Kate run like hell, but the story just did not give anything special or new. There was too much overwhelming music in the not that surprising end. Spacey acted good, though the role was pretty same we've seen before.
Rated 13 May 2009
40
15th
Just remembered that I'd forgotten to bash Winslet's performance in this, so yeah, bash bash bash she was trash.
Rated 29 Jun 2009
55
42nd
Overall Enjoyment: 25/40, Plot/Themes: 10/20, Cinematography/Direction: 10/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20
Rated 16 Jul 2009
70
28th
I don't understand the hate for this movie. It's really well done, has something to say, and says it well.
Rated 20 Jul 2009
20
20th
stupid propaganda
Rated 20 Aug 2009
78
64th
I thought this was a good movie until the ending. And it wasn't because I was sad it ended, but more because they just out-twisted the freakin twist. Spacey and Winslet both had quality performances which helped keep my interest peak for most of the 2 hrs of the movie. Also aren't the hotel TV's bolted to the wall? I mean they made that look a bit too easy. Also learned that you should make sure you rent your car from a quality dealer.
Rated 14 Dec 2009
90
95th
A super movie!
Rated 01 Jan 2010
73
20th
good acting but the film is constantly pointing fingers and forcing its morale which wouldn't have been necessary and destroys the film...
Rated 10 Feb 2010
79
78th
Swietne, trzymajace w napieciu do ostatniej sekundy kino.
Rated 27 Apr 2010
88
89th
I don't go to movies intent on being disappointed by them. This movie was nicely structured, well-acted, had an intelligent premise; and a clever ending. To all those who already decided they were going to dislike it before the movie even had a chance to finish: well done you. I had the time of my life for two hours. You, however, wasted two hours of your life. I know what option I'd prefer.
Rated 17 Jul 2010
32
18th
Predictable. Over acted. Over dramatic. Kevin Spacey was good though.
Rated 08 Sep 2010
50
27th
For some reason I remembered this film VIVIDLY, so I decided to rewatch it. It's not good. It's nowhere near good. But it's not all bad, either, Kevin Spacey really gives his all, and Laura Linney is wonderful likable as always. Even if you ignore its annoying morally superior stance it takes, (which is impossible to do,) the story is ultimately middling and brainless. Also, - is this a weird thing to notice? - the editing is amateurish. Many of the scenes didn't flow. Totally distracting
Rated 28 Sep 2010
90
83rd
Stumbled upon this movie on tv one night so I didn't have any expectations at all. Wow. Wonderful film, great well- disposed story. Brilliant acting, Kevin Spacey is almost always great, but the rest isn't bad either. Disturbing, haunting scenes (I can't go into details here, don't want to spoil it for anyone) that you wont forget. (I have to rewatch though to see if it might be an 80. :P)
Rated 09 Jan 2011
60
30th
By no means terrible, but could certainly could have been better. The ending was kinda cheesy in a way, but Kevin Spacy, as always, gives a good performance and it's an admirable attempt at tackling the subject matter.
Rated 29 Jan 2011
10
9th
"Alan Parker's turgid, bleeding-heart The Life of David Gale may just shame good liberals straight into the Republican Party." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 30 Mar 2011
83
86th
very sarcastic and impressive movie with usual -odd- acting of Kevin Spacey
Rated 21 Jun 2011
72
68th
Laura Linney always elevates anything she's in, and Kevin Spacey is good--worth watching for them alone. Leon Rippy's performance is a lot of fun, too. People really seem to hate this movie... not sure why. Okay, on a second viewing, I understand better why. It takes what is an emotionally-charged topic to begin with and piles on more overwrought melodrama. And what is apparently its anti-death-penalty point is not effectively made.
Rated 17 Jul 2011
88
90th
Risky territory to make a fictional movie about, as any flaw in the film will be picked up as a flaw in the"argument" rather than in the story/film. That said, a fictional drama about the life of someone vehemently opposed to the death penalty is a fantastic thriller which will keep you guessing until the last few seconds. One can argue whether this would ever achieve what they wanted, but thats a different matter. Linney, Spacey and Winslet are superb, and the production is just excellent.
Rated 15 Aug 2011
4
88th
Not one of best twists in the end but still great. K.Spacey is made for roles like this.
Rated 01 Oct 2011
65
65th
The Life of David Gale intends to be a much better movie than it actually is, and on many levels it succeeds in droves. Winslett, Linney and Spacey give brilliant performances the surrounding cast gives just enough stock stereotype to their roles that they service the themes. As a film about the value of life, Parker's film presents chilling and dark portrayal of what can happen when all is stripped away. As a political film about the death penalty its a preachy, laughable failure.
Rated 13 Oct 2011
0
0th
I am sure the filmmakers believe their film is against the death penalty. I believe it supports it and hopes to discredit the opponents of the penalty as unprincipled fraudsters.
Rated 25 Oct 2011
45
57th
#11#, reviews, story, casting.
Rated 19 Dec 2011
68
24th
Kevin Spacey gives a good performance and over half of the movie is very interesting. However the movie has an unsatisfactory ending for me.
Rated 23 Dec 2011
60
52nd
Decent race-against-time-before-execution-date thriller!
Rated 16 Apr 2012
66
50th
Tough movie to rate. It's really well made, which ought to count for something. The "twist" was sort of easy to guess, also. The problem of course is that it is a message movie with its own message completely undermined by the twist ending. At least it's pretty unique.
Rated 24 Apr 2012
20
2nd
Contains what is possible the worst twist in cinematic history.
Rated 10 Jul 2012
77
59th
76.500
Rated 27 Dec 2012
35
5th
Preachy and just obnoxious at points.... the worst part is that the story completely contradicts the message being preached
Rated 13 Jun 2013
60
29th
Underrated. Sure, it's overwrought and proposterous and manipulative and morally confused and confusing, but "Life of David Gale" is nevertheless -for the most part, at least- an engaging, intriguing and well-acted drama. Some of the plot twists towards the ending were indeed far-fetched, but, until that point, the film was engrossing and thematically interesting. Of course, it owes much to the dedication of Spacey and Linney, whose performances here are remarkable.
Rated 06 Jul 2013
80
83rd
Well written for a political story, but it was too easy to guess the ending long before it was revealed by the movie. Performances were good. Great cast with Laura Linney, Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet all providing stellar performances. Also a hot sexy performance from Rhona Mitra. Well worth watching, but a little too obvious by the end.
Rated 13 Jul 2013
73
33rd
Should be seen at least once, as it delivers an important and powerful message. Strong performances by Spacey and Linney.
Rated 26 Jul 2013
99
96th
Writing this within the 10 minutes after watching the film. To start off I think some people will call this film manipulative, I think any intellectual should see past that, you should be used enough to it, to call it drama... A very great film, there were a good number of viable endings so I would have to disagree with anyone saying it was too predictable. For those hesitant to watch, a quick description: the combination of 12 angry men with a thriller aspect and a little twist. I liked it!
Rated 04 Sep 2013
55
24th
It's a pretty politically-charged movie with a pretty predictable ending, I thought. Other than that it's a pretty middle-of-the-road Kevin Spacey vehicle.
Rated 29 Sep 2013
0
8th
I feel dirty.
Rated 03 Jan 2014
19
5th
Instead of offering a convincing argument against the death penalty, this implausible, convoluted thriller pounds the viewer over the head with its message.
Rated 09 May 2014
2
46th
Dated-feeling but ok thriller, pretty much agree with the 'own-goal' reading of it though.
Rated 17 Oct 2014
40
38th
*SPOILERS* Convoluted is the best word for this film. It's starts out with no forward momentum, and then...a mysterious tape! Followed by...a mysterious tape! And then the climax of the movie? A mysterious tape! In the end, the anti-capital punishment activists, rather than "showing the system doesn't work" (which the ENTIRE FILM hinges upon), they come off as sadistic wackjobs. In the end, the movie is nothing but a bunch of pointless twists.
Rated 05 Dec 2016
91
89th
Deeply impressive and absorbing.
Rated 16 Jan 2017
84
40th
I'm not entirely sure how this movie wants me to feel. Am I supposed to feel sympathy for David Gale? Is it pro death penalty or against it?
Rated 22 Feb 2019
74
75th
So many twists, with the final one being that the Death Watch fanatics actually give more arguments for the death penalty. Not sure if that was supposed to be the takeaway of the film, but it works surprisingly well to its advantage.
Rated 20 Oct 2020
61
44th
Did not age that well.
Rated 30 Oct 2020
16
5th
Maybe its just me but i didnt get the idea of this movie. I am not great fan of movies where is ticking a strong time bomb. Its usually introduced to add some suspense but it fails any single time. Kevin Spacey was ok as he didnt to anything but casting department made mistake to choose Kate Winslet for lead role.
Rated 09 Apr 2021
30
7th
Kate Winslet sets a smashing career-record long distance running. Some say she's still going.
Rated 07 Jul 2021
9
21st
Mostly boring. It's a dime-a-dozen crime drama film that you've seen before in some Iteration. No real creativity in the filmmaking or writing. I like Winslet and Linney but they bring very little to the film, but only because the film was written as a vehicle for Spacey's character. It's somewhat watchable but the entertainment value is still pretty low. I definitely wouldn't recommend it, particularly if you're a fan of Winslet.
Rated 06 Aug 2021
93
94th
2016.7.30/??????????????????????????/???????????????????????????????????????????????
Rated 03 Sep 2021
45
35th
Better than its reputation, despite its lack of surprises and heavy handed message.
Rated 04 Sep 2021
66
55th
90’s type mystery thriller that keeps your attention but hasn’t aged that well. Wide range of actor performances and the story is a little contrived… B-
Rated 10 Dec 2022
75
74th
Must see murder / mystery movie with some great actors! Must see - one of Spacey's greats.
Rated 08 Sep 2023
50
28th
Has the feel of a 1990s drama.

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