Life of David Gale Essay
In current essay I would like review the film “Life of David Gale” and provide my own attitude to this picture. To begin with it should be noted that the Life of David Gale is an American film released in 2002, which deals with the subject of capital punishment in the United States. The main roles played Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet. The film was directed by Alan Parker, his sons wrote the music to the movie. It can be said that this movie caused a lot of controversy of the society because of the issues and problems described in this film.
In this part of the essay I would like describe the plot of the movie. As a matter of fact, the journalist Betsy Bloom (Kate Winslet) arrives at the prison to interview the prisoner on death row – the former University of Texas professor David Gale (Kevin Spacey). In the past, Gale and his girlfriend Constance (Laura Linney) were activists and leaders of local movements for the abolition of the death penalty. It should be noted that the society and the authorities rejected their arguments on the inadmissibility of the death penalty; in particular, that the person can be executed on a false or erroneous charges. After that, suddenly, Constance is found dead and David is arrested for her murder, because all evidence points to him. At the trial, Gale behaves extensively, aloof, and actually pleads guilty. As a result, the court sentences him to death. During the interview, Betsy Bloom understands that Gale is innocent, but it lacks just a few minutes to provide proof to the authorities – the tape, which depicted the circumstances of death, and prevent the execution. The viewer sees on the tape that Constance herself enforces the gimmick for suicide; she ties her hands and on her head is warn a plastic garbage bag, she falls to the floor and slowly dies, as stated in The Life of David Gale Summary.
It should be noted that day of the execution has caused with a great resonance in the media, gathered outside the prison a large number of protesters and reporters. In few days, Betsy Bloom gets a videotape by mail. In this videotape is recorded the second part of Constance’s death, from which it becomes clear that Gayle was the next to commit suicide and knew everything. Consequently, the viewer understands that the staging of David and Constance is a great sacrifice. With their lives, Constance and David try to prove that dramatize the murder is not so difficult, and authorities can execute an innocent person, as stated in Film Review: the Life of David Gale.
In this part of the essay I would like to consider film’s critics. It can be said that encyclopedia of international film stated that this movie is structured by long flashbacks mixture of thriller and psychological drama and combines the emotional potential of the story sent to political and social backgrounds. Through the pleasing drama, the film certainly does not always escape the pitfalls of the subject. Also, Roger Ebert – a famous critic, gave the film other estimation, in particular the lowest possible rating, calling it “intellectually bankrupt” and “dishonest”. As a fact, he mentioned that the filmmakers believe their film is directed against the death penalty, but he believes, however, the movie, supports and hopes to discredit opponents of the death penalty as a fraud, as described in The Life of David Gale.
To sum it up I would like to give my own attitude to the movie. It can be said that this film has affected me very much. In my opinion, this movie arise a very important philosophical question of what the person is ready for his beliefs. As a matter of fact, David Gale and Constance are ready for great sacrifices. I think that the main idea of the film lies in the fact that a man with strong will-power and spirit, is able to die for an idea. David Gale believed that his death would reach public opinion and for the sake will save a dozen of innocent lives. I believe that Parker took a great social drama with a profound meaning. Also, I want to say about ideological orientation of the film. The theme is complex, multifaceted and, in my opinion, is unsolvable. The death penalty has been and remains a painful problem that does not mitigate one solution. It should be noted that justice system, tied on the highest extent, is imperfect, it is able to grind a lot of lives. As a fact, the film is about this issue. Do not wait for a happy end; it does not belong here, because the system is unforgiving. It brings good, but for the good you have to pay a price. There is no panacea for social problems, there is no universal solution. If you want a good example, I recommend you to watch this movie.
