David Gale (Spacey) is a man who has tried hard to live by his principles but in a bizarre twist of fate, this devoted father, popular professor and respected death penalty opponent finds himself on Death Row for the rape and murder of fellow activist Constance Hallaway (Linney).
With only three days before his scheduled execution, Gale agrees to give Pulitzer-hungry reporter Bitsey Bloom (Winslet) the exclusive interview shes been chasing.
But Bitsey soon realizes that this assignment is more than she bargained for, and that a mans life is in her hands. Putting her own safety in jeopardy, she frantically races to piece together the shocking events surrounding Constances death, before its too late
The Death Penalty: The Political Argument
By Alan Parker
Our film is a thriller. It would be hypocritical to pretend otherwise, cognizant as we all are of the commercial demands of the contemporary movie business. Perhaps, because of this alone, I still would have made the film. But I would also be remiss in pretending that this was the only reason that I was attracted to this project.
Personally I am very much against the death penalty for several reasons. Charles Randolph, the writer, is against it because he believes that it doesnt work. The actors - principally Kevin, Kate and Laura - have varying views, which probably mirror the myriad of current popular opinions.