The Life of David Gale
2003
Braxton Belyeu: I'm no more afraid of the Grim Reaper than I am of a Presbyterian on Mother's Day.
David Gale: I fell of the wagon and hurt myself.
David Gale: They wanted me to die, knowing the key to my freedom was out there somewhere!
David Gale: Death is a gift.
David Gale: We spend our whole life trying to stop death. Eating, inventing, loving, praying, fighting, killing. But what do we really know about death? Just that nobody comes back. Then there comes a point - a moment - in life when your mind outlives its desires, its obsessions, when your habits survive your dreams, and when your losses... Maybe death is a gift. You want her. All I can tell you is that by this time tomorrow I'll be dead. I know when. I just cannot say why. You have 24 hours to find out.
(Governor Hardin and David Gale are engaged in a debate on Batter's Box) Governor Hardin: Alan, let me say something I always say and I'm gonna keep on saying. And that is that I HATE killin'. That's why my administration is willing to kill to stop it. David Gale: So, you don't subscribe to the idea that 'a good state is the one that protects its most despised members?' Governor Hardin: It's a nice liberal idea. But, like most nice liberal ideas, naive. David Gale: It's a quote from you, Governor. From your first state attorney campaign Governor Hardin: (flustered) You've got me, Professor. But let me, in my defense, offer YOU a quote. Winston Churchill: 'If you're not a liberal at twenty, you have no heart, if you're still a liberal at thirty, you've got no brain.' (studio audience laughs) David Gale: So, basically, you feel, to choose another quote, 'society must be cleansed of elements which represent its own death.' Governor Hardin: Well, yes. I'd have to agree. (laughs) Did I say that too? David Gale: No, that was Hitler.
Bitsey Bloom: Of course he sympathizes with murderers... he is one!
David Gale: How do we start? Bitsey Bloom: We start with... you telling me what I'm doing here. David Gale: No one who looks through that glass sees a person. They see a crime. I'm not David Gale. I'm a murderer and a rapist... four days shy of his execution.
Constance Harraway: You wanna tell me what's up? David Gale: Nothing. Everything. Something profoundly stupid happened last night. Constance Harraway: I hope you used a condom. (David looks at Constance) Constance Harraway: Oh Jesus Christ, David. Was she one of yours? David Gale: It was Berlin. Constance Harraway: Oh great! Oh, that's great. I can hear the grapevine now. "They had to suspend her so that Gale could dick her with a conscience." A power differential equals coercion. That is great. You're so weak! David Gale: You know, you're not my wife, Constance. Thank God! Constance Harraway: Oh, well, don't worry. It's not a position I aspire to, so fuck you.
Berlin: Sorry about being late. There was, you know, a thing. David Gale: Yeah, there usually is, Berlin. Berlin: Look, I know I'm not doing too well, and, to torture a cliché, I will do anything to pass. David Gale: Anything, huh? Berlin: Any. Thing. David Gale: Ok, Berlin. (leans in close) I will give you a good grade, I will give you a very, very good grade if you just (whispers into her ear) study.
Bitsey Bloom: You know you are in the bible belt when there are more churches than Starbucks. Zack: When there are more prisons than Starbucks.
Berlin: Did I tell you that when you were circumcised they threw away the wrong part? David Gale: Yes, I believe you mentioned it. It's called schmuck. Berlin: What? David Gale: Part of the foreskin they throw away after circumcision, I believe it is called schmuck. Berlin: Aren't we so fucking clever.
Constance Harraway: The TA just finished transcribing all the governor's radio and TV comments. Listen to this gem: Journalist - "Governor, don't you think three executions in one week is a little excessive?" Governor - "I say let's bring them in, strap them down, and rock and roll." David Gale: Oh, it's good to know our governor is in touch with his inner frat boy.
David Gale: (Giving a lecture to his college students) Fantasies have to be unrealistic. Because the minute- the second- that you get what you want, you don't- you can't- want it anymore.
Bitsey Bloom: Hate's no fun if you keep it to yourself.
Constance Harraway: You work so hard not to be seen as a sex object. Before long, you're not seen at all.
David Gale: (while drunk) Socrates was ugly, Plato was fat, and, um, and Aristotle was a prissy dresser!
Zack: 73% of all serial killers vote Republican