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PCR # 154  (Vol. 4, No. 10)  This edition is for the week of March 3--9, 2003.

This Week's PCR
Movie Review
"The Life of David Gale"

Movie review by:
Michael A. Smith
Three stars!

Movies are rated 0 to 4 stars

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Universal     
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet and Laura Linney
Directed by: Alan Parker
Rated: R
Running Time: 2 hours 13 mins

Alan Parker is a rare breed of director. He's just as comfortable doing a musical (Evita, Fame) as he is taking on a "message" picture (Mississippi Burning, Midnight Express). "The Life of David Gale" is certainly the latter.

Spacey is David Gale, a popular professor at the type of college where, after finals, students and faculty get together for a big blow out while exchanging dirty limericks. Under the influence, Gale foolishly has a romp with one of his students. This will come back to haunt him. In his spare time, he is a major anti-death penalty spokesman who relishes his time on television and enjoys baiting the very pro-capital punishment governor. As fate would have it, the film begins with Gale on death row, a week away from his scheduled execution.

Winslet is hot shot reporter Bitsy Bloom. She has been given the assignment of conducting the only interview Gale will give from prison. She will have three days to get to the bottom of the story and, Gale hopes, prove that he is innocent. Through these interviews (and flashbacks) we learn that there is much more to the life of David Gale then is on the surface.

As with all Alan Parker films, the movie is perfectly cast. Two-time Oscar-winner Spacey adds another indelible character to his resume. Even in scenes that seem unlikely Spacey shines. The last time British star Winslet played an American it was in a little known film called "Titanic!" As reporter Bloom, she runs the gamut of emotions, from elation to frustration. Linney is the bravest cast member here. As the Leukemia stricken coworker Gale is accused of killing, she allows herself to deteriorate on screen in a way most actresses wouldn't dream of appearing.

Is Gale innocent? Does Bitsy save him? Is the death penalty wrong? These questions you will have to see and answer for yourself. On a scale of zero to four stars, I give "The Life of David Gale"  


This week's movie review of "The Life of David Gale" is ©2003 by Michael A. Smith.   All graphics this page are creations of Nolan B. Canova, ©2003, all rights reserved. All contents of "Nolan's Pop Culture Review" are ©2003 by Nolan B. Canova.