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Film Reviews... and other Cultural Events>
Film, book, food and art buffs alert! Review your experiences here.
The Life of David Gale
La Bolt
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Feb 24, 2003
12:26 PM
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Let me say straight away that I recommend this film both as a thriller and a depiction of the debate surrounding the death penalty. As a thriller it took twists and turns that were suspenseful and, to me, sufficiently believable. I thought the film was especially interested in the idea of characters that will sacrifice themselves for what they believe in. I think as a nation we are so anti-conviction that the topic is often perceived as being inherently sanctimonious. Although “social issues” and “social crusader” movies definitely run a high risk of bludgeoning the audience, I did not feel that in this case in The Life of David Gale. Also, for pure entertainment, I enjoy a good thriller, and this one kept me guessing and was less violent than most. I’m still thinking about the ins and outs of the tightly woven plot the day after. No gun is left on the mantelpiece, so to speak.
Unfortunately, the film got mixed reviews from critics and few out and out positive ones, citing the film as contrived. Films that feel contrives make me cringe, but other than a few fleeting moments, The Life of David Gale felt smooth and purposeful. I think that when it comes to the theme of activism, critics prefer melodramas like Erin Brockovich and the 70s flick Norma Rae, where we watch the characters fall into their causes despite themselves. In contrast, films like David Gale or the under-rated The Hurricane seem to be resisted because some of the characters have “causes” from the get-go and don’t experience conflict about their conviction (the conflict comes from elsewhere).
I got a kick out of the pro-death penalty Texas governor who was obviously based on Dubbya who once had that job (his eagerness to fry people on the chair rivals his eagerness to bomb Iraq). The film also did a good job capturing the senseless ways people defend the death plenty
The performances:
British actor Kate Winslet plays Bitsy Bloom, a reporter Gale has requested to hear his story days before being executed on death row. Kate Winslet, whose career reaches far beyond Titanic with a long list of excellent indie films, is always an artful and fearless actor. (There are only a handful of film actors to whom I would apply those adjectives.) It is strange to see her play such a restrained (and thoroughly American) character. She doesn’t have a whole lot to do here, but does it with focus and believability. There is also a young actor who plays her intern and is completely believable and likable. I wish he had more to do.
Winslet is much less “obvious” in her acting than Kevin Spacey is in this film. Despite his obvious intelligence as a person and an actor, there are moments when his stylized performance weakens the film. Unfortunately, the character’s drinking problem is more vivid than his loathing of the death penalty. However, there are plenty of scenes where he is compelling and after the final twist his character’s behavior makes more sense (if indeed it is intentional and not over-acting or over-direction). Anyway, I like watching the intelligence in his eyes.
The third key player is Laura Linney as David Gale’s friend and colleague, whom he is on death row for raping and murdering. She is an even more impassioned anti-death penalty advocate. Like Winslet she is an unusually gifted film actor (most of her career has been on the stage) and is best known for the brilliant indie with a most unfortunate name, You Can Count On Me. In The Life of David Gale she is completely palpable as a committed and martyresque activist and has the most nuanced part in the movie.
There is one detail I haven’t figured out, so if you see this film, let me know and I’ll throw it out there.
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SR
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Jul 07, 2003
6:01 PM
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Hey JB,
I was cruising through and saw your post. What was the nagging question you had about the film. Although I did not see it, I did read the book and might have an idea.
I too am an anti death penalty person and have been for about 20 years. I found the area of resolution and conviction too the best part of this story.
The book was severly flawed, but its message is ver worthwhile of course. Very few films pertaining to this issue have left me dissapointed and I look forward to renting Gale.
Be well,
SR
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