The Life of David Gale [DVD] [2003]

Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) plays David Gale, a brilliant but hard-drinking anti-death penalty crusader on death row for a rape and murder that he claims he didn't commit. The victim of the crime is Gale's close friend and anti-death penalty colleague (Laura Linney, You Can Count On Me), so Gale argues that he's been set up to discredit the cause. Committed journalist Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet, Titanic) takes it upon herself to figure the whole thing out--and so we follow her through a ridiculous plot full of supposedly shocking twists that are telegraphed far in advance and make very little sense when they arrive. The overwritten script tries to cover too many hot-button issues and gives Spacey way too many showy scenes where he gets to be passionate and caring, which is creepier than his psychopath roles in The Usual Suspects and Seven. --Bret Fetzer

• Feature commentary with Director Alan Parker
  
• Deleted scenes with optional Alan Parker
  
• Making of 'The Life of David Gale'
  
• Music of 'The Life of David Gale'
  
• Death in Texas
  
• Alternative poster concepts
  
• Trailers
  
• DVD Rom Feature

David Gale (Kevin Spacey) is a Texas professor and anti-death penalty activist who, ironically enough, winds up on death row for the rape and murder of a colleague. Kate Winslet plays Bitsey Bloom, the brave journalist who sets out to tell to his story. In the days leading up to his execution, Gale fills her in on his life via flashbacks, which include political debates, lectures, sex with a student, rape allegations, alcoholism, divorce, and despair. As the hour of his doom approaches, Bitsey becomes convinced that Gale is the victim of a shadowy political conspiracy and races against the clock to prove his innocence. Director Alan Parker (Mississippi Burning) manages to deliver a strong anti-capital punishment message alongside enough twists, turns and shocking moments to keep viewers perched at the edges of their seats. Winslet and Spacey are both riveting in the leads, but its Laura Linney as Gale's alleged victim--a fellow anti-capital punishment activist and close friend--who makes the biggest impression. Gabriel Mann also scores points in a sympathetic role as Bitsey's intern. Nicholas Cage served as the film's producer. The musical score is by Parker's two sons, Jake and Alex.

A powerful thriller directed by Academy Award nominee Alan Parker, The Life of David Gale stars Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and Academy Award nominee Kate Winslet and Laura Linney.

David Gale (Spacey), a leading death penalty opponent finds himself on Death Row for the rape and murder of fellow activist Constance Harraway (Linney). With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give reporter Elizabeth ‘Bitsey’ Bloom (Winslet) an exclusive interview. But Bitsey soon realizes that this assignment is more than she bargained for, and that a man’s life is in her hands. Putting her own safety in jeopardy, she frantically races to piece together the shocking events surrounding the murder before it’s too late.