Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 21, 2003
6.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 95 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
60
Mixed:
23
Negative:
12
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)
2
TetsuoFeb 11, 2014
This is Dead Man Walking by amateurs. It's plot is convoluted, the acting is dull, and the ending is an insult. It just doesn't give any arguments regarding the death penalty, all it does is repeat the same message over and over again,This is Dead Man Walking by amateurs. It's plot is convoluted, the acting is dull, and the ending is an insult. It just doesn't give any arguments regarding the death penalty, all it does is repeat the same message over and over again, bludgeoning you over the head. Thankfully this became a box office bomb. Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
All this user's reviews
2
KenRNov 7, 2020
At the outset, this looked as if it might offer some initial entertainment but that ended very early on - following one perverse scene after another. Grotty writing combined with Alan Parker’s morose direction tried to manipulate our emotionsAt the outset, this looked as if it might offer some initial entertainment but that ended very early on - following one perverse scene after another. Grotty writing combined with Alan Parker’s morose direction tried to manipulate our emotions - to prove that some people with a cause will commit almost any crime to win points their way. This certainly won’t help the Anti-Death Penalty or Anti-Rape causes or much of any other cause - as most of the participant’s actions (on both sides) are presented as moronic, dishonest, vulgar and self-serving. This movie takes a typically ‘modern’ Hollywood approach, in all departments, and fails to connect with any real honesty or believability, instead, aiming for sensationalized crudeness. Performances varying from fairly good to by the numbers doesn’t help. The easily pleased will get caught up - but from the look of the box office returns, there weren’t many of those either. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
5
BonesJul 6, 2011
the first few minutes of the film are very bearable, and you can see the movie is being supported by actors who are very good at what they do and a nice director. the movie brings so many questions and doesn't answer them, sometimes it's notthe first few minutes of the film are very bearable, and you can see the movie is being supported by actors who are very good at what they do and a nice director. the movie brings so many questions and doesn't answer them, sometimes it's not necessarily a bad thing, but in this case - it's very bad. you feel like it wants to be a very exciting thriller but it fails exactly when it gets to the last scene, after you see it it seems like they wanted to grab everyone's attention and make the film memorable - didn't work on me. not worth watching - next Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
All this user's reviews
10
LarsT.Nov 19, 2006
Great film with a great Kevin Spacey.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
RONGIUSep 9, 2010
Sorry for the translation, in mechanical.

The news: "Abuse a child and then kill." For "his" father and "his" mother open the doors of "non-sense of Life." I, as a reaction manifest emotional reading or hearing this news? Anger, rage,
Sorry for the translation, in mechanical.

The news: "Abuse a child and then kill."

For "his" father and "his" mother open the doors of "non-sense of Life."
I, as a reaction manifest emotional reading or hearing this news?
Anger, rage, anger, disgust, contempt and then?
And then return to "my" peaceful world, shut off "the others and their problems.

"One more news, unfortunately."
There is only one name to give to my attitude. Indifference.
It 'a very serious illness, experts say.
Symptoms: Do not want to understand, not wanting to speak, not wanting to participate in drama to make an informed choice. The "never happen to me" is the motto of indifference.
Is not a film to change the "certainty" of people.
One film, if done well, can help you reflect, perhaps to illuminate the shadows still unexplored. Discussions, debates, meetings, research, well-being. The target is centered.
Falls into error, I think, who think that "The Life of David Gale" is a film for the Texans, or other states, far from it.
Texas does not need these films. Why? Becouse this people familiar with the offenses that can lead you to lethal injection.
It is, however, a punch in the stomach for the rest of the globe,
this drama lives it only indirectly.

Think, is not fiction stage for the parties involved, who live "intus et in cute" the execution of a sentence, most often immutable.

Time adversary, inquisitorial, indictment, the bench, reading the verdict, death row, employees injection, printing, Forum for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and so on.

It 's a tragedy without end, even turns into tragedy when curtain time and alternate judges as much on the trial. So what about the victims on the attackers.

The Life of David Gale, in my opinion, a good movie. Is in the dialogues that I see so much sap. Are endless dialogues to release particles of emotional intensity, giving strength and character to most of the work.
Philosopher and rookie screenwriter Charles Randolph gives to Alan Parker, director, a strong screenplay.
The film is a work with content suitable for persons who want to think, reflect, ask questions, put a strain on their beliefs.

Who wants to do, sit in a chair, will not be disappointed.
Spacey (philosophy professor) and Laura Linney (Constance) are people "triadic" - body, mind, spirit, are committed to a very noble goal. Fight for "life" of those condemned to death.

Question: - The film's characters are presented as the fanatical extremists of an idea, a proposal or as a people full of passion, transport for that idea? This is important, I think the difference is substantial advantage or disadvantage of static or dynamic of the film, it does not deserve, I believe, hasty judgments.
Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet), a young but established journalist is asked by David Gale, sentenced to death three days before the execution to hear his story. During the three meetings the journalist did not "only limited to listening," onset of action. A story to follow with a final not so obvious.

P.S.

Personally privilege the person who asks questions and I have many reservations for who is considered the holder of certainties. I prefer the question mark (?) That exclamation mark (!). Good Ciak!
Expand
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
All this user's reviews
0
BroyaxOct 28, 2018
Ce film est long comme un jour sans pain, d'autant plus qu'il est particulièrement assommant dans son discours de donneur de leçon à la petite semaine. La peine de mort, c'est pas bien, c'est méchant parce que les "erreurs judiciaires d'abordCe film est long comme un jour sans pain, d'autant plus qu'il est particulièrement assommant dans son discours de donneur de leçon à la petite semaine. La peine de mort, c'est pas bien, c'est méchant parce que les "erreurs judiciaires d'abord gnagnagna"... Un discours gauchiste et angéliste martelé pendant plus de 2 heures dont on a strictement rien à carrer.

C'est dommage pour Kate Winslet, une actrice très appréciable mais la voir se débattre et servir la soupe à un Kevin Spacey défendeur des "valeurs humanistes" de ces mange-merdes d'Amnesty International, se révèle vraiment déprimant. On baigne ici dans la caricature du méchant, oui vraiment très méchant Etat du Texas qui fait carburer la chaise à plein régime. Mais si vous voulez mon avis, on est encore loin du compte parce qu'en Chine, ils ne s'éternisent pas des années dans le "couloir de la mort". Une balle dans la tête, puis on envoit la facture (de la balle) à la famille.

Donc de toute façon, ce prof de philo David Gale qui aime s'écouter parler pour ne rien dire est l'archétype du coupable innocent victime d'une machination et des circonstances qui tombent mal. Il n'a qu'à s'en prendre à son avocat amérindien aux cheveux longs et aux idées courtes.

Bref, tout cela est chiant et pénible mais aussi plein de prétention et bourré d'intellectualisme à peigne-culs. Mais le réalisateur Alan Parker est coutumier du fait à dire vrai. Je lui conseillerais vivement une consultation chez le Docteur Guillotin pour lui remettre les idées en place parce que là, c'est à en perdre la tête.
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
DogeGamer2015Apr 19, 2021
Es un drama legal que impacta y sorprende con la trama; además, las actuaciones de Kate Winslet y Kevin Spacey son excelentes.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
4
PorshaJul 24, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Kate Winslet always has a great performance and energy about her. The film is one big contradiction, if death penalty is wrong, why put a innocent man down to prove a point ??? the exact thing you are working against! It actually proves they are just like the people who enforce the death penalty. There was no need for Kate Winslet character, if anything, if she was a bit sharper, she could have ruined their whole plan and they would have done this all for nothing. Why not just get the Cowboy to leak the footage after David's death. Instead of telling Kate and have her possibly stop the death sentence ??? !! Movie was trying to be too smart but it flopped Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
3
geewahMar 30, 2021
This long winded, over melodramatic flick does more damage than good for the cause it's trying to shine a light on.
And the ending. My god what was that all about.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
risonyeongJun 17, 2021
31 rating for this movie is NOT justifiable at all. 3 A list stars and look how pretty Kate is when she was young. Kevin was campy as ever eventho he looked quite handsome in his jail jumper.
brilliant performance from them to carry thro such
31 rating for this movie is NOT justifiable at all. 3 A list stars and look how pretty Kate is when she was young. Kevin was campy as ever eventho he looked quite handsome in his jail jumper.
brilliant performance from them to carry thro such intense story. also not fair to compare to dead man walking which was another masterpiece. this movie is one of the few which i disagree with metacritic ratings....... PLEASE WATCH IT.
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews