The Life of David Gale (2003)

A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row.

Director:

Alan Parker

Writer:

Charles Randolph

Stars:

Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Winslet	...	Bitsey Bloom
Cleo King	...	Barbara Kreuster
Constance Jones	...	Reporter A.J. Roberts
Kevin Spacey	...	David Gale
Laura Linney	...	Constance Harraway
Lee Ritchey	...	Joe Mullarkey
Gabriel Mann	...	Zack Stemmons
Matt Craven	...	Dusty Wright
Brandy Little	...	Motel Waitress
Cindy Waite	...	Margie
Jim Beaver	...	Duke Grover
Leon Rippy	...	Braxton Belyeu
Jesse De Luna	...	Supervising Guard
Vernon Grote	...	Door Guard
Rhona Mitra	...	Berlin

Storyline

When anti-death-penalty activist David Gale is convicted and condemned to death for the murder of a colleague, reporter Bitsey Bloom sets out to learn the story behind Gale's crime. What she finds challenges her belief in Gale's guilt and, finally, in the justice system.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | rape | female rear nudity | committing suicide while naked | charged with rape | 

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Taglines:

The crime is clear. The truth is not.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent images, nudity, language and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA Germany UK Spain

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

21 February 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Leben des David Gale

Filming Locations:

Austin Studios - 1901 E. 51st Street, Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,117,225, 23 February 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$19,593,740, 30 March 2003

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,971,092, 6 November 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Intermedia Films, Dirty Hands Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roger Ebert gave zero stars for this movie in his review, writing it: "Spacey and Parker are honorable men. Why did they go to Texas and make this silly movie? The last shot made me want to throw something at the screen--maybe Spacey and Parker."

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Goofs

When Bitsey enters the prison for the first time, the sign reads in Spanish "Cierre la puerta fuerta." It is misspelled, it should read "fuerte." The word "fuerta" doesn't exist.

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Quotes

Berlin: There once was a girl named Berlin. Who wanted it now and again. Not "now and again". But Now! And again and again and again.

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Connections

References Larry King Live (1985)

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Soundtracks

Tiemblo
(A.T. Molina Remix) (1999)
Written by Elvis Crespo
Performed by Elvis Crespo
Courtesy of Sony Discos, Inc.
Under License from Sony Discos, Inc.
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Kevin Spacey at his best and utmost - another one OSCAR performance

Kevin Spacey deserves another one OSCAR nomination for this movie while supporting cast is not such creative except maybe Laura Linney.

Alan Parker is back with stunning material - provoking and sophisticated. This movie makes me think about world we live and life in general. I'm not an expert in capital punishment issue, but acting of Spacey is superb and deeply touching. This is not usual stupid Hollywood popcorn movie and thank You for that. My personal rating is 10 out of 10.