Review of The Life of David Gale (2003) by Cam B — 08 Nov 2009

A film that tried to be two things: firstly a political thriller, and secondly an anti-death-penalty-parable. As a thriller, we were disappointed - we picked every reveal before it happened, and I almost laughed at some of the storyline's unlikely occurrences.

..like a hilariously (ahem...apologies, that should read 'tragically') timed breaking down of a car. As an anti-death-penalty-parable, I was equally unconvinced. Indeed, the final ridiculously obvious revelation has even made some critics wonder if this film is actually supporting the death penalty rather than opposing it.

I wouldn't go that far, but I would certainly agree with many who say that the film tries to be two things and fails to do either with any conviction.