The awkward title seems to be stating that "life" is the theme here and it is. The taking of a life and the destruction of ones life by a force with an agenda. David Gale's life is ruined by a false accusation of rape and then it is about to be taken by a (could be) false accusation of murder.
On death row awaiting execution we are about to find out if that death penalty law is fatally flawed. The audience is shown in flashbacks exactly what happened and for that part of the movie it is a mystery with an investigative reporter following up with help from an exclusive interview with the condemned.
The Director's dark cynical style is somewhat restrained here, but this film is more about a cause than an artistic cause celeb. It is an obvious anti death penalty slant and uses melodrama to make its point.
It is a well acted, well written story and is about more than it seems. There are other things going on here that are much more personal than a political and social controversy of religion vs humanism. It touches on infidelity, parental custody, alcoholism, martyrdom, euthanasia, sexism, lost causes, betrayal, and obsession.
The movie has humor and heart, a noble attempt and a righteous rant on a law (capital punishment) that is obviously morally controversial, but is also not the law in some States. That seems to be the answer the narrative is presenting. If we as a Nation can't agree on something as final as putting someone to death by the authorities, than we as a Nation should error on the side of caution.
On death row awaiting execution we are about to find out if that death penalty law is fatally flawed. The audience is shown in flashbacks exactly what happened and for that part of the movie it is a mystery with an investigative reporter following up with help from an exclusive interview with the condemned.
The Director's dark cynical style is somewhat restrained here, but this film is more about a cause than an artistic cause celeb. It is an obvious anti death penalty slant and uses melodrama to make its point.
It is a well acted, well written story and is about more than it seems. There are other things going on here that are much more personal than a political and social controversy of religion vs humanism. It touches on infidelity, parental custody, alcoholism, martyrdom, euthanasia, sexism, lost causes, betrayal, and obsession.
The movie has humor and heart, a noble attempt and a righteous rant on a law (capital punishment) that is obviously morally controversial, but is also not the law in some States. That seems to be the answer the narrative is presenting. If we as a Nation can't agree on something as final as putting someone to death by the authorities, than we as a Nation should error on the side of caution.