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David Gale Sociology

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Movie Review of the Sociological Concepts of The Life of David Gale

The movie The Life of David Gale is an exhilarating thriller about the life of a philosophy professor, David Gale. David was convicted of rape and murder and is sent to death row, where his execution awaits. Journalist Bitsey Bloom gets an assignment where she must complete three two-hour interviews with the alleged criminal. Bitsey discovers David's preceding life and story throughout the interviews, discovering that he was a DeathWatch activist, a group that is against capital punishment. Constance Harraway was David's best friend and lover, who was murdered and found with evidence that matched up to David. While Bitsey discovers the heartbreaking story about how David's …show more content…
For example, the concept of social stigma was established in the film. According to the text in Mastering Sociology, page 499 defines social stigma as "'blemishes' that discredit a person's claim to a 'normal' identity" (Henslin, 2014). David Gale's stigma evolved rapidly when he was accused of raping Berlin, and then raping and murdering Constance. Prior to David's encounter with Berlin at the graduation party, he was considered an extremely intelligent man who had the prestigious title of graduating from Harvard University at the top of his class. David was also the ardent father of a young son, who he primarily took care of while his wife was in Spain. Yet, as soon as David was arrested after his debate with the governor of Texas, his life promptly fell apart. David's stigma led to him losing his job as a professor, family, and dignity since he was now labeled as a criminal. In the movie, David Gale stated, "No one who looks through that glass sees a person, they see a crime" (Parker, 2003). Overall, David's arrest created a stigma that socially discredited him, and he became a rejected …show more content…
One of my favorite aspects about this movie was the plot development. The hook of the movie was engaging and alluring, which did not stop throughout the whole film. The plot twist at the end of the movie was elaborate, which I enjoyed because it made me ponder if I would be willing to die for my values and beliefs. I appreciated how this film sparked a desire to act upon the rules and laws that I do not necessarily agree with. The cast of this movie had a superb screen presence, and I felt entranced while watching the plot unfold. Additionally, the actors and actresses did a terrific job displaying emotion throughout the film. Bitsey Bloom, played by Kate Winslet, was one of my favorite characters. I could feel Winslet's pain and agony through her character when she discovered that David Gale was already murdered although he was an innocent man. Despite this, I did not enjoy how this movie did not have a "happy" ending. I personally enjoy movies that have an enthralling plot and have a conclusion where the protagonist is alive and cheerful. However, I do understand that David was content with the decision he made, and this ending provided the movie a more realistic sense. In conclusion, I am delighted that I had the opportunity to watch the movie The Life of David Gale because it had eye-opening and informative

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