The Constant Gardener (2005) User Reviews

3-in-1 Film: Romance, Thriller, and Social Realism!

[lavatch · 8/10 · 1 September 2005]

"The Constant Gardener" seeks to juggle three film styles-the romance, the thriller, and provocative social realism. On all three levels, the film succeeds, especially with the latter.

Much credit should go to director Fernando Meirelles, who has synthesized a virtual textbook of different film techniques. The uses of set-ups, location filming, lenses, film editing, and close-ups were simply dazzling. While the panoramic scenes of the African landscape were breathtaking, there was a starkly contrasting approach to the close-ups in the scenes in the city. The jittery, hand-held camera sequences added to the dramatic tension and underscored the urgency of coming to terms with poverty and disease.

The romantic portion of the film was anchored by the two characters played by Ralph Fiennes (Justin) and Rachel Weisz (Tessa). Their first meeting was dynamically presented as Tessa was a social activist heckling Justin as he was making a political speech. When the hall was cleared, however, it was Justin who was actually comforting Tessa after her outburst. The juxtaposition of the placid, passive Justin versus the fervent, hyper-kinetic Tessa was brilliantly established in that opening scene.

The strands of thriller and social realism are inextricably tied together in the film. As a whodunit, "The Constant Gardener" seeks to uncover what actually happened to Justin and Tessa on their African journey. At the same time, the main culprit that emerges is the heavy hand of greed as the pharmaceutical companies exploit helpless victims of tuberculosis for the purpose of testing and marketing an experimental drug. At one point in the film, it is disclosed to Justin that the pharmaceutical industry is no different than "arms dealers."

Another British film entitled "The Girl in the Café" appeared recently on American cable television. That gem of a film is a low-budget version of "The Constant Gardener." Both films seek to raise consciousness about the tragedy of world hunger and disease. The title of "The Constant Gardener" is an important one because of the time and care taken by Justin in his garden both at work and at home. In the process, however, he has ignored the urgent pleas of his wife, and he has lost touch with the world crisis to which he is arguably a contributor.

The eighteenth-century French writer Voltaire ended his famous novel "Candide" with the slogan "One must cultivate one's garden." This film would appear to suggest that instead of tending our gardens, we need to follow the lead of Justin and Rachel and see how we all might work to help others right now.

Great story.... and sad truths about Big Pharma

[tmendonca-50956 · 8/10 · 17 December 2021]

"Put $50,000 in the right hands and you can test battery acid as skin lotion" what a profound and telling statement.... especially with what's happening in the world today.

Great Great film.

[yolanda_flcn · 7/10 · 2 September 2005]

I thought the movie was great and worthy of the praise it has been getting from audiences and critics alike. Ralph Fiennes gives the performance of his career as a grieving man looking for answers and is slowing discovering the corruption all around him and Rachel Weisz steals the film whole heartily with a really deserving Oscar worthy performance as a human rights activist who will stop at nothing to get at the truth. The story is pretty scary and the cinematography is fantastic. Yes, the shaky camera can get in the way but it's not distracting enough to ruin the film.

If you want to see a movie that will make you think, this is it.

Rachel Weisz truly gives an Oscar worthy performance.

[firstcallandy · 10/10 · 10 August 2005]

Crisp and heartfelt thriller that gives you the right shot in the arm with an Oscar caliber performance by Rachel Weisz and an equally Oscar worthy performance by Ralph Fiennes. This is a film about the horrors of big business and the way they are willing to experiment on the poor to achieve their goals. Rachel Weisz plays Tessa, A feisty activist who uncovers a conspiracy by a pharmacy company to test experimental drugs on the poor natives of Africa. She then tries to fight them and expose the conspiracy until she is brutally murdered. Her husband, a quite diplomat then begins to take up her cause and try to give his departed wife justice while trying to uncover the hard truth of what is going on.

Fernando Meirelles Follow up his masterpiece ":City of God" with an equally satisfying journey of self-discovery, love and Justice. Ralph Fiennes owns the role of Justin and he takes you into the center this thrilling journey and into the center of his soul as well. The real showstopper here is the performance of Rachel Weisz, who gives the right balance of self-righteousness, heart and determination with her role. Weisz makes you believe in the film and makes you equally as determine as Justin and she was in uncovering the conspiracy and uncovering the true about what had happen to her.

This is one of the best films of the year and if there is any justice in the world, this baby would be nominated to the hill with Oscars and Rachel Weisz would get one as well because her performance is easily the best performance of any actor we have had all this year.

Beautiful, Haunting and mesmerizing

[marylives · 31 August 2005]

Great romantic thrill ride that is made even more special by the performances of Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes, who both give this adaptation of the John Le Carre book a real sense of beauty, dignity and grace with their on target performances. Weisz is perfection as Tessa Qualye, a civil rights activist who is murdered for trying to bring awareness of their illegal practices on the poor natives of an African village. Weisz gives her character a self-righteous drive that is made poignant by her determination and sheer will and she also makes her character human, not a stereotype, which makes her performance the more real. Ralph Finnes plays her grieving husband Justin, who takes up her cause and begins to lean of how wonderful his wife really was and what he missed during the time she was alive. His haunted performance is in my opinion his best ever and is the driving point of this haunting odyssey of justice, lost and self sacrifice. Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes both deserve Oscar nominations for their superb performances and Fernando Meirelles deserves one as well for his superb direction that puts you smack in the middle of the story that is unfolding right in front of you.

Hands down, the best film of the year so far.

Thought-provoking - especially relevant now post Covid-19.

[paulclaassen · 7/10 · 6 February 2023]

When I watched 'The Constant Gardener' many years ago, it didn't quite have the same impact as it did now post-Covid. This film makes me wonder what goes on behind the scenes of some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. What secrets lie behind closed doors?

Rachel Weisz stars as feisty Tessa Quayle, an outspoken young woman who will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. The film starts with Sandy (Danny Huston) telling Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) he believes Tessa has just been killed in an accident in Kenya. The film then jumps backwards in time to tell us how Justin and Tessa met, and the circumstances leading up to the accident. When the film catches up again, it continues the story, now with Justin looking for answers.

Justin uncovers more than he bargained for - from conspiracies to cover-ups, and murder. In the process, his own life becomes in danger as he finds himself the target of a pharmaceutical company who wants to prevent a negative report Tessa wrote about them, to surface.

There's a lot of information here to digest, and there are several twists and character reveals. There are also many characters to keep track of, each of which played a pivotal part in the events that lead to Tessa's 'accident'. You have to pay close attention. I nevertheless found the film interesting throughout, and one I rather enjoyed. As mentioned, I found the film more relevant now - and disturbing even - than I did when I first saw it many years before the Covid-19 pandemic. Once you've seen it, you'll understand why.

The film features wonderful performances by Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz, especially. The cinematography was also beautiful.

Thought Provoking and Beautifully Stirring Political Potboiler

[WriterDave · 10/10 · 6 September 2005]

Ralph Fiennes stars as a British diplomat whose complacency is challenged when he is forced into a soul searching quest for the reasons behind the tragic death of his activist wife (Rachel Weisz) that uncovers a sinister pharmaceutical company in cahoots with British and Kenyan governments testing a new TB drug on expendable HIV+ Africans.

Fiennes gives his most humanistic and endearing performance ever, perhaps even topping his Oscar nominated turns in "Schindler's List" and "The English Patient." Rachel Weisz is an illuminating revelation, turning in the performance of her career. Her character develops and becomes even more compelling after she dies and we learn her secrets through expertly paced flashbacks. Director Fernando Meirelles takes the amazing style he honed with "City of God" and adds a heart with "The Constant Gardener," a big heart that bleeds a beautiful cinematic poeticism onto the screen.

This film truly rewards its audience as it works on so many levels. Like this year's earlier word-of-mouth and hot-button issue sleeper, "Crash," you won't be able to stop talking about it after you leave the theater. The politics here are engaging and bound to stir up even the most complacent viewer. What's even more amazing is that all of the timely political discourse and subsequent thriller aspects of the film (courtesy of the source material, John Le Carre's novel) are wrapped up in a timeless romance. We the audience join Fiennes on his journey, and we rediscover the love story between he and his wife that anchors the film in a poetic realism usually reserved for movies with much less on their minds.

To top it off, it's all delivered in the maddeningly genius Meirelles style that took critics and audiences by storm in his debut "City of God". We have the shaky hand-held camera darting through vibrant and colorful third-world locales juxtaposed with jaw-droppingly gorgeous aerial photography of Africa in all its blazing glory. Meirelles again shows us he is a true artist willing to show both the shocking beauty and abject horror of the people and places that populate his films. Again he delivers a message that people are doing horrible things to other people the world over (be it in the form of wishy-washy governments turning a blind eye, greedy corporations putting a price tag on a human life, local thugs preying on the misfortune of their neighbors, or friends betraying friends). With "City of God" he seemed to be saying the only hope is to document it. With "The Constant Gardener" he makes that argument again and takes it one brilliant step forward. We may not be able to stop a war or a huge global injustice, but we do have the power to help one person at a time. It takes a courageous film to make such a statement, and a brilliant film-maker to deliver it, and that's just what "The Constant Gardener" does.

Intelligent drama plenty of suspense,intrigue ,moving and sensational performances

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 30 May 2007]

The film concerns about an obstinate and mild-mannered widow named Justin Quayle(Ralph Fiennes),the constant gardener,,he must discover the wife 's death named Tess(Rachel Weisz).She appeared in the lagoon Turkana(location of human being's origin) at a remote zone of Northern Kenya.Tessa'companion,an African medic named Blum,he has fled and is the prime suspect.Quayle helped by his friend Sandy Woodrow(Danny Huston), embarks in a dangerous journey which will take various countries risking his own life and confronting against nasties and powerful pharmacy company ruled by magnate named Pellegrin( Bill Nighy)in charge of delivering vaccine AID,HIV positive into African continent .Meanwhile he memorizes records with Tessa,their lovely relationship by means of continuous flashbacks.He investigates a powerful corporation called CEO, a conspiracy by strange British High Commission and the wrongfully practices and corrupts business of the billionaire pharmaceutical enterprises in third world.

The picture based on John Le Carre novel displays emotion,thriller,suspense and thought-provoking drama. Although sometimes is slow moving,however is developed with sensibility and intelligence but are narrated ethics,moral issues with great sense of ductility ,besides a sour politic critical about the unjust practices of pharmaceutical industry .The tale is supposedly to take place in Kenya ,instead of in South Africa where most part of the production is placed.Exceptional performances for all casting with special mention for two main actors: Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.She's actually pregnant in a nudism scenes.She won Oscar Academy Award for best acting by an actress in a supporting role.Fernando Mereilles won Alma Award by outstanding director of a motion picture.Evocative,sensible music for nominated Alberto Iglesias(Pedro Almodovar's usual musician) and appropriately cinematography by Cesar Charlone(Merielles' habitual cameraman).Direction by Fernando Mereilles(Oscar winner by City of God,an unflinching portrayal at the underbelly of Rio Janeiro)) is awesome and stylish .The flick will like to denounce-drama enthusiastic and Fiennes and Weisz fans.Rating: Above average.

Meirelles, Weisz and Fiennes make a modern political masterpiece.

[lovemoreself · 10/10 · 31 August 2005]

Intelligent and moving political thriller that should be held right up there with "All The Presidents Men" and "The Killing Fields " as one of the best political thrillers ever made. Fernando Meirelles tops his last directional effort with a thriller that is moving, scary and down right forthright in it's views of big companies gone wrong and the horrors that they are willing to inflect on others for the sake of profit. Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes give career best performances in this film and that's a huge compliment considering the fact that they are good in almost everything they do, even in bad movies. Weisz is strong willed and obsessive and Fiennes is determine and endearing and both of them compliment each other with there destine to be award winning chemistry and acting chops. The director compliments both of them with a view of Africa that is rarely seen in film and a sense of reality that is only found in real life.

Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes and Fernando Meirelles all should be honored at award season for their amazing efforts in this film because as of right now, this is with out a doubt the film to beat come Oscar time.

Not a great movie

[marc-warner · 6/10 · 11 November 2005]

The constant gardener has it easy. It picks an emotionally charged subject matter and involves issues that are at the forefront of the political agenda. It has to be easier to make a film that has an impact on its audience from this starting point. It could have been genuinely awesome.

However i felt that the film was totally one dimensional. For those that haven't seen it (and this will in no way spoil the plot), the central theme is large biotech companies in Africa. It is undeniable that such companies do exploit the poorer nations but it is likewise undeniable that if such companies didn't exist we would not possess the range of drugs that we do today. There is no question that these companies do some good. With such a rich subject matter an exploration of shades of grey of the debate could be the basis for an excellent film. Sadly the film fell firmly on the anti-biotech side without any sort of fair trial. It is the lack of sophistication about the biotech = bad message that i objected to. Then as if the portrayal wasn't one sided enough anyone involved with either the British government or the biotech company was made a thoroughly unlikeable character in terms of personality.

I don't mean to suggest that as a stand alone piece of work the film was bad. The fact is that by choosing a subject matter that is so emotive the filmmaker must take on certain responsibilities. In the case of the constant gardener i thought the complex issues were not explored at all. We've all seen brilliant movies that balance both sides of a debate, exploring both the "hero's" and the "villain's" motivations, and justifying both to us. The constant gardener does not do this, and i believe is a worse movie for it.

Haunting, Heartfelt and Horrifying

[rayoduck · 10/10 · 1 September 2005]

Slow tension building thriller that is charge even more with the great performances of Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes, who both bring an essence of realism to their roles and a sense of chemistry that is really not found in movies like this anymore. Rachel Weisz brings a ferry fury that is ripe in it's convictions and Ralph Fiennes brings a cool, collective zeal that is a slow building timer ready to emotionally exploded at any minute. Both performances compliment the fine directing of Fernando Meirelles, who gives this tale a sense of brilliance in its storytelling and a sense of the way the world really works. It's a heartfelt story of lost and redemption and it's hauntingly poetic in it's horrifying look at the horrors of a world that is willing to cast a blind eye at the problems of big business and corrupt governments that are willing to do anything in order to make a fast buck. Even going as far than to destroy human life to achieve their goals.

This is a brilliant film and I can't wait to see it again.

Intense, enigmatic and cathartic but in some strange way not quite enough.

[Syrchek · 7/10 · 4 April 2006]

The Constant Gardener was made after a novel written by John le Carré. I just couldn't believe that he's the same man who wrote the novel for The Russia House, because there were several times when I actually thought of that movie during this one. One lucky guess, I guess. The Constant Gardener is at first concentrated at a couple, Justin Quayle and Tessa Quayle. He's a diplomat, she's an activist and both are present in a remote area of Northern Kenya. Tessa or 'Tess' is quite a sensitive and bold woman, which is clear from the beginning when she openly criticizes Britain's passivity and suspicious standards of morality. Considering the country's foreign policy of course.

Her bold and uncompromising character is pretty much the reason why Justin devoted his attention to her in the first place. The technique isn't quite new, but the exchange of past and present events in their private lives really anchors you into their relationship. Then comes the journey to Africa, specifically Kenya where Tess is really anxious to escort her husband. They both seem to be well assimilated to it as we already see them living there. This is where the trouble start. Tess is getting more and more involved in the local pharmaceutical affair and finding out more, without her husband ever even suspecting a thing. She does this with the help of her husband's colleague, Sandy Woodrow. What she finds out doesn't stay hidden because of her informing a few high officials in Britain. Despite the warnings, Tess refuses to keep her voice down about the local community being an experiment for global pharmaceutical companies. That is pretty much the reason for the mysterious murder of her and her good friend Arnold Bluhm.

Justin is now left alone and shocked, not having a clue about what happened. The same goes for the viewer as the rest of the mystery is yet to be revealed by Justin's relentless search. The most important part of the movie is the unraveling of that single mystery. Director Fernando Meirelles, well-known for his previous film City of God, draws the techniques of zooming, camera shaking and using vivid colors to the max. This is what makes this film more exciting and thrilling to watch. The story is quite complex and at times too rapid to comprehend all that is being said. It kind of reminds me of JFK because it's stampede throwing of all sorts of facts. Nothing wrong with that, it actually makes the story look more intelligent and dynamic.

Of lots of espionage and political thrillers released in the past decades, this one could be considered good not because of it's plot, but because of it's execution and the authentic presentation of completely different societies. It really is one of the rare movies to make the constant change of surroundings look quite untroubled. Adding really fine performances should do the trick for me but I didn't find the story as thought provoking as I hoped I would. I think that all of the techniques and tricks used by the director worked as a disguise to make us forget what the reason for killing Tess was. We already figured it out. You might think that there's a grand conspiracy waiting to unfold itself, but you are left a little disappointed. The Constant Gardener is mainly a very good thriller, enriched with some great performances and stand-out direction as well as editing and credible presenting of different environments. A specific extra is the all-embracing sensation of guilt for all the suffering of mankind. Something rare in films today. It missed an 8 within a hair. 7.5/10.

....... - 4/5 .......

Strange Cinematography

[clagus · 3/10 · 7 February 2007]

Unbearably fidgety camera work, for little or no reason it never stopped moving, tracking in, tracking out, hand held, on dolly, tilted one way then the next, knee high, up in a helicopter, down in a pit looking up. Why not give the actors room to work instead of how clever is the camera. lighting, what lighting? No shot long enough to be able to judge. What disservice to John Carre and the superb actors who were but a background to the camera. What was going through director's (Meirelles)mind? Why distract from the brilliant story with this overly mobile camera and using such very short takes, let us look at the actors faces, they are the stars not the camera. The music was superb!

The cinematography disconnected me

[dinaalshibli · 21 April 2022]

There are some flaws in the story, however that is not my main concern with this film. While some people might enjoy the type of cinematography this film had, for me I felt like it ruined the entire film. This type of random cinematography cheapened the film in my opinion, and I also did not like the color palette they put it with either. As stories about corruption are very important I think that this was such a shame, because the film simply lost me because of this and I felt disconnected the message it wanted me to come across. However I do like the theme of the film, and I certainly think more films should be made about corruption and the less fortunate, just not in this way.

Powerful and haunting story

[cinemafilo · 10/10 · 1 September 2005]

It's been less than a day since I have seen it and I find it difficult to get it out of my mind. The images and feelings stay with you. The direction, cinematography and editing is superb. If you loved the style of "City of God" with its "documentary style" camera work then you'll love this too. The story is done "non-linear" like it was in the book….and I thought it made the experience of seeing the movie so much more enjoyable. Since the film starts off very early with the death of Tessa and then continues with Justin's journey of discovery to find out the cause of her death which only seems to bring even more heartache and anger.....the non-linear style allowed for some light hearted moments from Justin and Tessa's marriage to break up the tension.

The performances by both Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes are excellent. The relationship between Justin and Tessa came across as very real and touching and it's a testament to the chemistry between the 2 actors. The intimate moments were some of the most realistic I have ever seen of a couple in love…...unlike "Hollywood movie love". Fiennes performance is unforgettable. I would have to rate this very close to the quality I saw in "Schindler's List". He demonstrates such a change from the beginning of the movie to the end. He conveys so much with just his face. Justin will break your heart… especially as he gains wisdom. The soundtrack provides a wonderful complement to Justin's journey of discovery. The music has a haunting quality as does this movie.

It's a testament to Meireilles that the movie seems to slowly draw you in and hooks you as you go along with Justin. It challenges the viewer to see the poverty and forces you to face your own complacency in the world. So as Justin gains wisdom and is forced out of his complacency….. it is like Meireilles is turning the mirror towards the audience and asking them "Do you see what's happening in the world? What are you going to do about it?". It is a powerful and moving story and I think will soon become a favorite. I expect nominations for all the major categories.

Stunning....

[Piltdown_Man · 9/10 · 20 September 2005]

This is a rare gem in today's gravel pit of features. Rachel Weisz is truly transcendent. She is just so immensely real and powerful and alive! Fienne's role as that of a somewhat distant man is the perfect complement to this.

Visually, this is one of the finest films I've seen in years; the editing is brilliant and the cinematography is beautiful; the DP gives us subtle stylistic cues and approaches which highlight the many different worlds we encounter, from the abject poverty of Africa to the interior of a private London club.

See this film...and see what a movie can really be.

"... the report was too damaging, she had to be stopped."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 1 October 2006]

For the devotees of this film, I'm sorry to say that this is one that didn't grab me. Maybe it was the disorienting flashback style, or the fact that characters in the film were often hard to understand when they spoke. I won't deny the stand out performances of Ralph Fiennes or Rachel Weisz, but there was something about their characters that didn't really translate into my caring about them as individuals. That was especially true after Tessa (Weisz) compromised herself with the creepy attaché Sandy Woodrow (Danny Houston). It made me feel like she trapped her husband Justin (Fiennes) in pretty much the same way to get a toehold into the 'exposing corruption' game. Again, it boils down to sympathy for the characters.

The ending as well didn't ring true, as Justin calmly and unceremoniously awaits his fate in the African wilderness. Was the ordeal of uncovering the truth too much to bear, or did he simply take it as fact that a contract on his life would unavoidably succeed?

For me, this is one thriller that didn't thrill even as intrigue mounted and plots were uncovered. Except for the skills of it's principals, this is one film I would find hard to recommend.

A depressing and frustrating experience

[abum190 · 8/10 · 4 October 2006]

The movie's frustrating because it gives you a problem in this world to be angry about, depressing because that problem probably won't be solved anytime too soon. It becomes even more depressing because it puts more than one face on the problem and allows us to see the issue through someone who experienced it firsthand.

It doesn't matter if that person is fictional or not. Ralph Fiennes makes him real, and Meirelles surrounds him with what looks and feels like the real world. Ralph Fiennes plays Justin Quayle, a British diplomat married to Tessa (Rachel Weisz, in a heartbreaking performance just as noteworthy as Fiennes's). Justin has a job to do in Africa, and Tessa makes him take her with him, despite his misgivings. They end up entangled in a pharmaceutical battle that has taken lives before and, before the movie is over, will take many more.

The subject matter here begs to be heard, and Meirelles has provided it with a compelling venue. He films with a style that constantly keeps us engaged. It's hard to find fault with this movie. I didn't find myself wholeheartedly loving it either, but I admire it for its courage and emotional truth. The Constant Gardener grips you from the start in the lives of these two people and never lets you go, not even when the movie is over. It's hard to forget this story. I wouldn't want to.

intelligent story

[MLDinTN · 7/10 · 8 August 2006]

This movie was good; the well written script had a lot to do with it. While many films have plot holes and silly stunts, this movie had a real story and was realistic. You could picture something like this happening in real life. A diplomat's wife, Tessa, is gathering evidence against a big pharmaceutical company, that is using an experimental drug on the poor of Africa. The Africans must give consent to take the drug in order to receive any kind of medical care. The company covers up the people who die from the drug. They are buried in unmarked graves. It seems the company doesn't want to go back to the drawing board with their drug by admitting it has serious side effects. It would the cost the company a couple of years and millions of dollars to redesign the drug. Instead, they adjust the drug undercover so, they can keep running trials on the poor.

Tessa is murdered along with her friend who was helping. Her husband, Justin, starts investigating what his wife was working on, and soon finds his life is in danger.

So, the movie is basically a well acted murder mystery with a believable plot and resolution.

FINAL VERDICT: Well written. I'm sure the teen crowd would say its slow and boring since there are no explosions and girls in bikinis. But, I recommend this if you like intelligent films.

great

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 12 October 2016]

Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) is a mild-mannered British diplomat. His wife Tessa Quayle (Rachel Weisz) is killed in remote Kenya. She was an activist researching a corrupt pharmaceutical company. His friend Sandy Woodrow (Danny Huston) is the High Commissioner in Nairobi. He starts investigating Tessa's murder and her research. He finds her friend Dr. Arnold Bluhm was also killed.

The movie does have the jumbo structure flashing back and forth. It would work even better if Justin starts investigating sooner. It's not until midpoint when Justin goes off into the field. The flashbacks could be incorporated into the investigating. The little clues are better if Justin is looking for them. Otherwise, this is a first class movie. It has an exotic African location, great performances, and a passionate story with a social angle. This is one of those great murky John le Carré espionage tales.

Well made film

[leanawin · 7/10 · 24 July 2021]

This was a well done movie, with a definite undercurrent of conspiracy theory, justified though it may be. The topic is horrific, really; desperately ill, defenseless, trusting people in third world countries used as guinea pigs in experiments that are frequently fatal for them. But, hey! They have no real voice, so it must be okay.

It left me wondering: "How close to the truth did they actually come?"

[WCS02 · 8/10 · 31 August 2005]

I walked away from The Constant Gardener wondering how drug companies actually bench test their drugs. (The current Vioxx settlement certainly inspired cynicism) This is a thriller for the thinking crowd – with sufficient chase scenes and action sequences to justify the genre. It's paced slower then the average Grisham or Ludlum (Jason Bourne) movies I've come to love. But if you're interested in the stark realities of how medicines are tested in third world nations without having to endure negative consequences, this is a film you will want to see. It purports to reveal real-world events from Africa.

Pharmaceutical company corporate greed and compromised government ethics set the mood as Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz (on separate courses) do what they can to reveal the corruption spinning all around them. Fiennes is a British diplomat who understands what it takes to succeed in a compromising diplomatic position. Weisz refuses to give in. She's on a mission to reveal the truth - taking the political activist route - from the moment they meet. Fiennes is a love interest to the luscious Weisz, someone who offers an opportunity to cut the red tape and speed the truth about the mischief to which the drug company(s) are up to in Africa.

It's a brilliant movie showcasing how third world countries are (or can be) exploited. It deals with how a major pharmaceutical firm conducts harmful tests on ignorant, unsuspecting Kenyans. We see the other side of Africa – the side unseen in the enticing Kenyan safari tourist posters.

This is a thriller that thrills both the mind as well as the spirit. It left me wondering, "how close to the truth did they actually come?"

Bring your Dramamine and you'll be OK

[schappe1 · 7/10 · 15 September 2005]

This is an interesting but sometimes irritating and depressing film that raises some good issues. It functions on several levels:

-It's a lament for Africa and all its problems, especially with diseases.

-It's a passionate indictment of corporate greed and government malfeasance.

-It's not really a thriller but it is based on a John LaCarre novel and there are car chases and a raid by Sudanese bandits as well as corporate and government intrigue -Mostly it's a love story. Ralph Fiennes plays a career-minded British diplomat who seems more concerned with his garden than people. Rachel Weisz is his activist wife who finds out that pharmaceutical companies are testing dangerous drugs on African patients in exchange for what should be basic health care. She gets killed and he tries to find out why and finds out all the things she had learned, then becomes the target of the same assassins. In doing so, he comes to understand her and love her more than he ever did when she was alive.

This later is the best part of the sometimes powerful film. The worst part is the camera work, which features constant use of hand held cameras which bob up and down all the time. Bring your Dramamine. Also, it's not exactly escapist fare. Instead it shoves your face right into the world's problems. If you liked "Wedding Crashers", you'll hate this. But you won't forget it anytime soon.

Undirected dribble

[david-deans · 3/10 · 11 November 2005]

Its difficult to convey how much of a disappointment the Constant Gardener was. On a scale of 1 to 10, it would be -25, for several reasons.

Firstly, as a thriller the ending was in the synopses - we knew the culprits and the deeds. This leaves the details providing the only dramatic tension, which were slowly and painfully dragged out of the characters in a way which left the audience gasping for events to complete themselves.

Secondly, the characterisation left the audience disinterested in the main parties. Fiennes' love for Weisz is drawn in so many clichés, and is so poorly sketched by the repetitive flashbacks, that we are left wondering why they were so interested in each other in the first place. The film then fails completely by centring the plot on this vapid excuse of a relationship. We see Fiennes cry over their first meeting, without knowing what exactly formed the basis of their relationship or why they had married. Its sad but I couldn't care less about his grief when I don't really understand why he is grieving or believe in the relationship.

Thirdly, the film itself was a dog. Each character spoke in a continuous monotone, in a language which I assume was the screen writers idea of how diplomats and aid workers speak to each other. With the exception of Bill Nighy, who should have been given more screen time, each actor or actress was reduced to barking their lines to a fridge buzz. Worse, the direction was scattergun and failed to take advantage of the potential for holding any kind of drama in the situation. To try and pick the pace up, a few car/horse chases are thrown in to make up for the previous hour and a bit's plodding. They are too late, i'm afraid.

Fourthly, it did a total disservice to a very deserving topic. This *should* have been a brilliant film. Instead it was a dull shell over some very worth while points about the irresponsibility of corporate power. I'd much rather seen a documentary about some real events than entertain this poor exercise in intellectual entertainment and chin stroking, cynically designed to satisfy the audiences' self-regard.

There is a good corporate thriller, and it is The Insider. In that film, no one dies, yet it is compelling and fascinating despite being about a fairly idiosyncratic topic. Four people die in The Constant Garderner, yet I was completely unmoved. 3/10, please try harder.

An Extraordinary and Moving film.

[threebotsfive · 10/10 · 15 August 2006]

Passionate, Intense and moving political thriller that not only fulfills it duties perfectly as a great and passionate film. Ralph Fiennes is at his best with a performance that should once and for all show people on how versatile he really is with a somber performance that is a study of how human expression can tell one' feelings and one's actions. To just look at this man act is a gift in itself and he is at his best here. While Fiennes is at his best, he is outdone by the powerful and graceful performance of Rachel Weisz, which makes this film as powerful and as haunting as it is. She brings a sense of playfulness, mystery and strong will that has not been giving by an actress in the last few years. Her character is wrap in mystery and is only remembered in flashbacks but while you are trying to piece together the truth, you still will morn for her character in the way Justin does for her and be outrage by the circumstances that is responsible for her death. The cinematography is amazing and the direction by Fernando Meirelles is just as inspiring. He lets the actors become the characters and it flows like a running steam of fresh water that is refreshing as well as uplifting.

Movies don't get any better than this.