Advantages: Good acting, thought-provoking theme Disadvantages: Plot holes, inconsistencies.
David Gale has been on Death Row for six years. Convicted of the sadistic rape and murder of his friend and colleague, it is just three days before his execution and all appeals and stays are exhausted. In return for a payment of half a million dollars, he grants his first interviews ? one two hour session for each of the three days ? to "kiddie porn" investigative journalist Bitsey Bloom. Gale had been a successful college professor and ? in a supreme irony - a committed campaigner against the death penalty in Texas. Some time ago, a drunken one-night-stand with a student who filed a rape charge against him had ruined Gale's career. Although the student dropped the charges eventually, mud had stuck as it always sticks. Gale's wife left him, taking their young son - and light of Gale's life - with her. He lost his job and sunk into ...
Advantages: Brilliantly written Disadvantages: A little confusing at the start
Notes from an Exhibition was one of the many books that I purchased with book vouchers a friend gave me for my birthday. Although this event was over 6 months ago now I have just finished reading the book. Now although I enjoyed reading the book and found author Patrick Gale's style to very pleasant to read I don't think it is a book that I could read again.
So what is the book about?
Well the book tells the story of a famous artist called Rachel Kelly. Rachel is bipolar and so her moods can be rather erratic although it is these moods that she accredits some of her best work to. Throughout her life she has remained an enigma to her husband Anthony and her four children and so it is only after her death that they can truly begin to understand her.
After leaving a strange message on the answer phone of one of her children Rachel ...
Advantages: A good basic idea, and excellent cast and crew Disadvantages: Horrifyingly cliched and predictable
Pardon the silly play on rhymes, but really, what else can I say? Sorry to bring the good vibes in Galedom to a crashing halt, but Ciao works because people like me are prepared to be unpopular.
A warning. This review does not exactly contain spoilers. HOWEVER!!!! At the end I'm listing certain questions (read: gaping holes) the film raised in a separate bit. YOU WILL BE GIVEN WARNING TO LOOK AWAY. LOTS of warning. But I'm telling you now as well so you don't scroll down to the bottom too hastily.
Right, onto the film.
STORY:
Philosophy Professor David Gale is having a bit of a time of it, to say the least. A vixenish minx of a student seduces him and then cries rape, ruining his career even though she then withdraws the charges. His other big obsession, as a member of the death penalty abolitionist group, Deathwatch ...
