The Life of David Gale Review
by Karina Montgomery (karina AT cinerina DOT com)February 27th, 2003
Life of David Gale, The
Matinee Price
Not unlike the controversy on which this film makes its nest, feelings about this film are sharply divided. Without bringing my personal feelings about the political side of things to bear, I must say that I really was very impressed by this film. The screening I attended was rife with very distracting technical issues (film breakage, sound speed issues), but I was still very gripped, very involved, and very moved.
Kevin Spacey has built an impressive career playing inscrutable men, men with secrets, with stories to tell full for conflict and surprise, and portent. (Diagram that, Ms. Rothgeb!) I can think of no better actor to play David Gale in this story. The hook of the story is that Gale is a rabid anti-death penalty activist who ends up on death row - in TEXAS.
Reporter Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet) is taking down the story of the man behind the crimes for which he is destined to ride Ol' Sparky. (I know it's lethal injection these days, just run with the metaphor.) Bitsey gets the interview only days before his final day, and the reason for the urgency takes the movie to explain. Winslet is a perfect partner for Spacey. Her earnest, open face is complemented when confronted with Spacey's closed and sad Sphinx countenance. Her American accent is eerily dead on, too. She's so beautiful, but yet realistic and natural, so human and accessible - it's no surprise Gale is willing to spill his guts to her. And spill they do, but only in convoluted loop after convoluted loop. It's a pleasure to watch them politely unfold the origami tale.
This troika of understated talent is completed by Laura Linney, playing Constance, Gale's partner in advocacy and friendship. Linney never gets the appreciation she deserves for being as subtle and as easy to read as she is.
Yes, OK, I admit that I was thrilled to see so many Austin locations populated by actors I love. So sue me. But truly, these three actors tap dancing on the edge of this politically charged abyss is a delight. The irony of Gale's incarceration after his career of activism, the assumptions made by all people based on generalizations, assumptions, and hope, it's all very heady and interesting. Gale's philosophy class teaches a lesson on fantasy and unreachable goals in a way that would seem like foreshadowing but is actually more thematic of Gale's greater quest in life, before his life was ended by prison. Despite the story being very logical, even predictable in retrospect, it is still powerful. Like being stuck in a car on the railroad crossing - you know the train's gonna hit you but WOW! It's about life and death, both finding meaning for them and within them, and the pursuit of each as well. I really enjoyed and appreciated it.
Perhaps detractors of the film felt manipulated by the sometimes overbearing score (by a number of gentlemen with the same last name as director Alan Parker). This is a fair assessment, but viewers should not deride the script and the performances based on the music. My companion felt pushed by the soundtrack and I, tears streaming, replied, "yeah, well it's working." I'll be the first to cop to being suckered by a swelling string section. Honestly, the whole story and situation really affected me. Ultimately, the movie does not take sides on the controversy, letting the story be about David instead, and it shows both sides to the degree that is necessary for the narrative.
And hey, Sam's BBQ *is* the best, after all.
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These reviews (c) 2003 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but just credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks.
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