CASTING agents have got it made these days. Need a slightly sinister, super-intelligent anti-hero, able to smoulder away and effortlessly carry off even the most mundane of movies? Open the drawer marked Spacey (K).

That's not to say our Kevin's latest offering, The Life of David Gale, isn't without its charms.

Life is not looking good for Spacey. A philosophy professor and an anti-capital punishment campaigner languishing on Death Row, convicted of the brutal rape and murder of fellow crusader Constance Hallaway (Laura Linney).

Enter hack-with-a-heart Bitsy Bloom (Kate Winslet), to conduct a final interview before he's injected with "prune juice" courtesy of the state of Texas.

Told in flashbacks, Gale's seemingly ideal world, alluded to before his incarceration, is actually bobbins - his wife has a Latin lover and Gale, perhaps not-at-all-surprisingly, falls for sultry former student Berlin (Rhona Mitra).

After being sacked and facing a false rape allegation, one quick descent into alcoholism and the "life" is in tatters.

Meanwhile he discovers bosom buddy Constance, his only emotional crutch, has leukaemia. Then he's arrested for her slaying. Fast forward to Gale's final hours, where he wins over Winslet to clear his name.

People have complained that the film is too predictable. If you go to the pictures expecting a Mensa-style challenge there's something wrong with your soul.

Sit back and enjoy another bravura performance by Spacey. Ignore a couple of Columbo-style moments involving Winslet. And you have a perfectly serviceable pyscho-thriller.

Review by Peter Magill