The Constant Gardener [2005]

This simple plot description doesn't capture the rich texture and slippery, sinuous movement of The Constant Gardener, superbly directed by Fernando Meirelles (Oscar-nominated for his first film, City of God). Shifting back and forth in time, the movie skillfully captures the engaging romance between Justin and Tessa (Fiennes shows considerably more chemistry with Weisz than he had with Jennifer Lopez in Maid in Manhattan) and builds a vivid, gripping, and all-too-justified paranoia. And on top of it all, the movie is beautiful, due to both its incredible shots of the African landscape (which at times is haunting and unearthly) and the gorgeous cinematography. Featuring an all-around excellent cast, including Bill Nighy (Love Actually), Pete Postlethwaite (In the Name of the Father), and Danny Huston (Silver City).--Bret Fetzer

Set among the baking and rusting blanket of the Kenyan shanty towns Merielles’ film doesn’t shy away from the decrepit and failing infrastructures that house, feed, persecute and kill the Kenyan people to further their own means. Scriptwriter Jeffery Caine treats both the audience’s intelligence and the source material with the utmost respect, balancing the wider themes of corporate greed with a fine observation of emotional detail.

The basis of the plot centres on low order diplomat Justin Quayle (a restrained Ralph Fiennes on fine form) and his marriage to the free spirited Tessa (a luminous Rachel Weisz). We pick up the threads of this relationship after it has already come to a tragic end and are, through a series of extended flashbacks, required to piece together the puzzle involving a shady pharmaceutical company, its money men, Third World aid as a tax write off, the death warrants signed off casually over dinner meetings and the lengths seemingly ordinary people will go to protect their image and reputation.

Merielles visual flourishes are still in clear evidence merging harsh realities of life in such conditions and the idiosyncrasies of love and devotion with an unsentimental grace. He employs some innovative camera techniques, clever editing, and repetition of key scenes cut with overlaid narrative or incidental conversations throughout the complex plotting but perhaps the best idea was to make use of the spectacular locations, landscapes and wildlife and improvise a lot of the shanty town scenes and dialogue that gives the overall feel of the films honesty.

Weisz has been getting the critical nods for her flighty and passionate performance as Tessa and such is her performance that despite her fate never being in doubt the impact is still just as devastating. It is Fiennes though who deserves the accolades as the buttoned down Justin who, slowly unravelling the clues his lost love leaves behind, begins to finally understand what drove the passion that remained a mystery to him. In less assured hands the quiet man forced to address that which he chose to ignore, could easily have become a caricature. As it stands Fiennes’ Quayle is an honest and noble man gradually awakened to extraordinary circumstances.

Those looking to be overly critical could argue that Merielles' hyperactive and often handheld camerawork jars at times or that the complex structure and narrative prove hard work, but this merely serves to involve the viewer in a taut, complex and superior thriller.

Highly recommended.


Essential viewing   November 30, 2005
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

This is a simply spectacular film - a beautiful love story set against the stunning backdrop of Africa, entwined with the sinister, and all too real, practices of multinational drug companies - an absolute must see.


You Cannot Hide, They Will Find You   March 23, 2006
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Lorbeer:” Big pharmaceuticals are right up there with the arms dealers. I only give the food to the women, Mr. Black. Women make the homes; men just make wars ... and hooch. Adam was God's first draft - He got it right with Eve. Tell that to your readers, Mr. Black . Lorbeer, the doctor right on the fringe of Africa.

Fernando Meirelles tops his last directional effort with a thriller that is moving and scary in its views of big companies gone wrong and the horrors that they are willing to inflict on the innocent all for profit. He presents his view of Africa that is rarely seen in film and a sense of reality that is only found in real life.

Ralph Fiennes as Justin Quayle, midrange diplomats sent to Africa with his wife Rachel Weisz as Tessa Quayle. Justin has tended his own garden in Nairobi far too long to sense the danger and horror that is expanding beside him. His wife, Tessa, is a lawyer involved in the midst of seeking information about a drug being tested for Tuberculosis that has horrific side effects on its innocent victims. These victims when they die are all buried in a lonely place, all grouped together. Tessa is compiling the information needed and has sent a letter to Sir Bernard Pellegrin, played by Bill Nighy. At some point the letter is lost and Tessa turns up naked, dead and raped. Justin out to seek justice, and to find the details uncovers a plot that is unexpected and the danger and horror is exemplified in all of its ugliness. The beauty and the ugliness of Africa are outlined, and we feel the dirt and the need and the frenzy that encompasses a novel of John Lecarre's intensity.

Rachel Weisz won the Academy Awards: Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and it was well won. The British Independent Film Awards: British Independent Film Award for Best British Independent Film, Best Actor, Best Actress. For Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weiss these are the roles of their lifetime, and they more than live up to the challenge. This is the movie that offers John LeCarre’s best work. A talented writer, John LeCarre and a talented director, Fernando Meirelles have made one of the most entertaining and informative movies about the lust for power and money in our pharmaceutical companies. You will not look lightly at “the good night” and the big name companies after viewing this movie. You will feel the need to question what has been wrought. Highly recommended, prisrob 3-22-06


Intelligent, thoughtful and enjoyable   August 16, 2007
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

The Constant Gardener is one of a new breed of spy movies that substitutes cliched action and a high body count for a more intelligent and subtle form of entertainment by intrigue. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weittz have a marvellous chemistry. The script is sharp. The direction has pace. Cast in the same mould as Spy Game or Syriana, a heartily recommend this movie as a thoroughly enjoyable night in.