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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A world without her..., November 15, 2005
"The constant gardener" is an extremely good movie that could have been exceptional but somehow doesn't reach that point. All the same, I think it is the kind of film you will appreciate, specially if you enjoy a good thriller, great actors, and the opportunity to watch the beautiful African scenery.
The plot is based on a novel by John Le Carre, who said that "The constant gardener" is an excellent adaptation of his book of the same name, even though it is quite different from it. In my opinion, the director, Fernando Meirelles, should be recognized for doing an excellent job in what ended up being an outstanding (and thouroughly non-linear) film. Even though I didn't like this movie as much as I loved Meirelles' previous film, "City of God", it easy to see that he retains his gift for surprising the spectator, and treating him with scenes of astonishing beauty.
The plot is, in general, the same of the book. Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), the main character, is an extremely polite English diplomat working in the British Embassy in Kenya. He who has only two passions in his life: gardening and his wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz). Tessa isn't overly conventional, and can be downright rude when she is defending one of her many causes, while Justin is taking care of his garden. Despite their differences, they complement each other. Justin, oblivious to the reality that surrounds him in Kenya, grounds himself in Tessa, and can't imagine his life without her.
Unfortunately, when some hired guns kill Tessa, Justin will have to learn if he will be able to live in a world without Tessa. His more immediate concern, however, is why was she killed. Justin's life is thrown into turmoil, and danger abounds, as he learns that Tessa was investigating the shady dealings of an important pharmaceutical company working in Kenya. But what did she discovered? Justin won't stop until he learns just that, finishing what his wife started.
On the whole, I think I can recommend this movie as high-quality entertainment, fast-paced enough to engage even those who don't like "slow" films. Heartily recommended!
Belen Alcat
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123 of 145 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good story which deals with some real issues in the world today, September 5, 2005
Based on a novel by John Le Carre, this brand new film starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz just opened in theaters.
Fiennes is cast as a rather conventional British diplomat who falls in love with the fiery Rachel Weisz. In the first few minutes of the film they meet, mate, marry and go off to Africa where Fiennes is stationed.
He'd rather tend his garden and keep a blind eye to the truths around him. She adopts the humanitarian causes of the people and sometimes embarrasses Fiennes by telling off the stuffed shirt diplomats in his circle. He adores her though and their relationship is hot even though it seems as she and an African doctor are having an affair.
Everything is shattered when the African doctor and Rachel Weisz are brutally murdered. That's when mild-mannered Fiennes gets involved in the investigation. What he discovers is corruption at the highest level, involving big pharmaceutical companies who are using the Africans as guinea pigs to test new drugs. Fiennes' investigation leads to more and more discoveries. Eventually, his own life is in danger.
The acting is excellent and so is the cinematography. It really seemed to be the real Africa although the country remained unnamed. I do question the title because there was little about gardening in the film with the exception that it seemed that Fiennes would rather tend his garden than get involved in the horrible politics around him. Then, of course, he couldn't stop himself.
I enjoyed the film and especially like the fact that it addressed some real issues in the world today. It almost didn't matter that the details of the plot were a little confusing at times. I wish it grabbed my emotions more though. I know it was supposed to as it deals with the dire results of human greed and corruption.
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128 of 169 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The English Garden, September 3, 2005
Justin Quayle, middle-level English bureaucrat (Ralph Fiennes, the perfect Le Carre' protagonist, circa 2005) is palpably appreciative when Tessa (Rachel Weisz, radiant, earth-motherly) deems to, really anoints him with, at the beginning of Fernando Meirelles' "The Constant Gardener," a hot session in bed. In fact, Quayle goes so far as to thank Tessa; which says more about Quayle's commitment to his Freesias, his backyard garden and his avoidance of really living than it does about Tessa's prowess in bed.
But that being said, the friction between the stiff-upper lip Quayle and the free-thinking, socially liberal and aware Tessa forms the backbone of Meirelles and Le Carre's outstanding film. Feinnes and Weisz's vibrant and provocative performances give this film a moral and intellectual as well as a human-level sensual and sexual center that binds the worlds of international diplomacy and social consciousness in a way that makes this film not only chock full of real-life ambiguity but also current and thought-provoking as well.
But then Justin is transferred to Africa and Tessa pleads with him to take her. And it is at this point that the movie changes tone from one of romance, lust and personal fulfillment to one of subterfuge on several levels: personal, governmental and that involving major drug companies using the medicine starved Africans as guinea pigs for their experimental drugs: many times to disastrous results.
Director Fernando Meirelles deserves a place in the pantheon of directors based solely on his revolutionary and disturbing "City of God" and here he boldly paints his canvas in broad strokes of saturated, gorgeous Technicolor for the scenes in Africa and solemn, dreary gray for the scenes in England and Europe: a little obvious maybe but effective nonetheless. Meirelles also becomes a little preachy towards the end of the film that I could have done without though I know that most people know nothing of what goes on generally in Africa and specifically in regards to the synergies between the African nations and the major drug companies.
Fernando Meirelles' "The Constant Gardener" is a terrific movie: breathtaking to look at, superbly acted by all but specifically by Feinnes, Weisz, Danny Huston and Bill Nighy. But it is not an easy movie to love for it wears its heart on its sleeve, at times pleading to us for understanding and compassion and Meirelles sometimes forgets that the best films show us...they do not tell us. Besides all this, there is undeniable power in the images presented and a formidable intellect to back them up and so we give in to it...allowing the exotic and rare perfume of Meirelles film to take us to a place we've never been before.
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