Death taxes

This film has had some mixed press, with its detractors usually claiming that an interesting idea is ruined by silly plot twists and contrivances. I think that's selling The Life of David Gale a bit short. Yes, it's a bit outrageous as it hurtles towards its climax, but that seems to be the nature of Hollywood these days. Most of the plots have been used so many times that you almost have to come up with something over the top for originality.

Kevin Spacey as David Gale is watchable as always, as is Kate Winslet, although she struggles with an American accent in her role of the unfortunately named journalist, Bitsey Bloom. Who could take anything seriously written by a woman called Bitsey?

Anyway, David Gale is going to be executed in four days' time, and he summons Bitsey for a series of death row interviews to plead his innocence. The hitch is that Gale, once a successful philosophy lecturer and husband and father, was also an outspoken advocate for abolition of the death penalty in Texas. The fact that he's facing death by lethal injection for the rape and murder of a woman is more than a little strange. Was this some kind of set-up by his opponents?

Bitsey is at first convinced of Gale's guilt, but as he reveals the events that led to his dire situation -- which we see in several flashbacks -- she comes to realise he's innocent. And pretty soon some weird things start happening, like a videotape being left in her hotel room that points to Gale being framed.

Plot twist after plot twist and ulterior motives by the dozen do begin to look convenient, but you have to wait until the final outcome to see that it does all add up. You still might not necessarily go with it, but all the pieces are at least in place; unlike so many other films which have holes in the plot so large it's breathtaking how they ever got made.

There is some genuine suspense as the clock ticks down to Gale's execution time, but when Bitsey's hire car develops radiator trouble in an early scene, it's a clear signpost the dodgy car will come back to haunt her at a later and crucial stage.

Kevin Spacey just can't seem to pick a crowdpleaser like American Beauty since his Oscar win, and Winslet certainly hasn't reached Titanic heights in her recent roles, but both are excellent actors who obviously appreciated a script exploring a fascinating premise. Winslet has lost weight and is quite gaunt in the face, so hopefully she hasn't succumbed to the very public pressure to shed her womanly curves. You wonder if she would've got this role before the weight loss as she spends a good deal of time running around in tight jeans.

Supporting players include Laura Linney in an understated but pivotal role as Gale's fellow death penalty protestor, Constance. After seeing her in the wonderful You Can Count On Me last year, I'm a newly converted fan.

Alan Parker, whose name is attached to such varied films as The Commitments, Angela's Ashes and Evita, directed the script written by newcomer Charles Randolph (a Doctor of Philosophy, which is quite an interesting side point if you see the film), and it probably won't go down as one of his best efforts. However, despite some jarring editing techniques, I think it's worth a look, and is better than many of the reviews indicate.

Vicki Englund