Originally published in the UCD College Tribune, 2002

The Life of David Gale is just that. The film tells the tale of David Gale, a university lecturer placed on death row in Texas for the alleged rape and murder of fellow death row activist, Constance Halloway. With just a week to go before his execution, Gale decides to give an exclusive interview to Bitsey Bloom, a New York journalist, in a last-ditch attempt to clear his name.

Kevin Spacey is his usual charismatic, charming self as the incarcerated Gale. He injects the right amount of melancholy and anger to all the right places to make Gale likeable. It is no surprise from Spacey, who places elements from all of his previous roles in Gale, and triumphantly brings him to life.

Kate Winslet is back on form as Bitsey, a caustic, bitchy New York reporter. It is refreshing to see her break away from playing period roles to playing a contemporary and superficially a person that one would not like.

Relative unknown Laura Linney, is graceful and elegant as Constance, a death row activist whose murder, ironically, lands one of her dearest friends on Death Row. Linney’s performance is soft, understated and a joy to watch.

Directed by Alan Parker, The Life of David Gale has sweeping scenery, sleazy motels and dramatic tension that lasts until the very last frame.

The cuts between past and present within the film are completely clear, but the way in which they are done does get slightly monotonous after the first time. Bitsey is sometimes almost painfully slow on the uptake, but this takes little from the story. Spacey has two wonderful monologues as Gale that are both funny and moving.

The Life of David Gale. A story of one man’s search for justice that is gripping, tense, and at times, upsetting.