A University of Texas professor of philosophy and capital punishment abolitionist, David Gale (Kevin Spacey), finds himself on Death Row convicted of murder. Days before his execution, skeptical journalist Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet) is sent to conduct David Gale's final interview. What she finds challenges her belief in Gale's guilt and, finally, in the justice system. Hilarity ensues.
Trivia: George Clooney and Nicolas Cage both rejected the part. Nicolas Cage had the script and gave it to Parker, but was already busy with other projects. Trivia: Kevin Spacey was the third choice to play David Gale. Filming of a death penalty protest scene at the Texas State Capitol was briefly disrupted by the arrival of a group of real political protesters. The scene where Gale is drunk in downtown Austin (6th street) was somewhat improvised and shot with two lights and a camera. "Most of those people aren't extras," Alan Parker said to an audience at the University of Washington.
This was a great movie with powerful performances by Kate Winslet and Laura Linney, but it is Kevin Spacey that really makes the movie. This confirms to me that Spacey is the Olivier of my generation. In my eyes he can do no wrong (except maybe K-PAX, I'm kind of reluctant to watch that one). I highly recommend this movie. Now for the politics. This is definitely an anti death penalty movie. They pick Texas as the setting, which is understandable since Texas seemingly takes pride in performing more executions anyone else. I understand the arguments against the death penalty but I still believe in it. Is it a perfect solution, hell no, but I think the Texas Justice System gives a person ample opportunity to appeal their convictions, but that is just my opinion.
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14 years ago
5 comments:
I've wondered about this movie. It's now on my list to watch.
Oh my goodness, I just watched "Hard Candy". You were right Will...intense. I don't know all the words to describe this movie. The filming or visual aspect was superb. I loved how everything seemed so visually appealing yet so simple as if they were taking a photograph throughout the entire movie. Then, the acting with only two characters to carry an entire movi? All I can say is FANTASTIC!!! I adore these kinds of movies....show me some acting, some originality, something crazy and obscure....and you've got "Hard Candy". Mick would like this movie, I think.
Glad I could help out. Sometimes I wonder how many great movies are out there that we miss because of first impressions of box covers or trailers and such.
I'll have to check out Hard Candy I guess.
I was turned off from this movie from bad reviews especially Roger Ebert who is a liberal and still thought it was over the top in its leftist propaganda. Although I really like Kate Winslet and Kevin Spacey I have a hard time swallowing movies with a political agenda. That's why I absolutley HATED "The Runaway Jury". It was a good movie until about 3/4 of the way in when you realized it was just a preachy hour and half long infomercial about how guns are really bad and they kill people and those who believe in the right to own a gun are evil.
It definitely has a political agenda but it is well acted.
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