Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) is an British diplomat who is sent to the Kenyan Embassy to work. Justin falls in love with impulsive Tessa (Rachel Weisz) because he compares her to a wild flower that he loves in his garden. Tessa follows her husband to Kenya because of her interests in his work and to keep an eye on him. Justin has many loves, one being his gardening skill. Tessa is a tenacious activist that fights for the rights of the poor people and helps Dr. Arnold Bluhm perform his tasks. Tessa finds out accidentally that a powerful pharmacist firm (3 Bees) is testing a new drug amongst the African people. Tessa is more involved in the matter and she decides to ask Sandy, Justin's friend, for help because she doesn't want to involve to her husband. In a remote area of Northern Kenya, activist Tessa is found brutally murdered. Tessa's companion, a doctor, appears to have fled the scene, and the evidence points to a crime of passion. In various flashbacks throughout, we see Justin and Tessa meet, marry, and fall in love. We follow Tessa through the bustling streets and clinics of Nairobi, usually accompanying Arnold Bluhm, a Black doctor with whom she spent the night with before her murder. The authorities try to accuse Dr. Bluhm of the crime. Members of the British High Commission in Nairobi assume that Tessa's widower, their mild-mannered and unambitious colleague Justin Quayle, will leave the matter to them. Little do they know, Quayle is not going to let this go. Jarred by rumors of his late wife's infidelities, Quayle surprises everyone by embarking on a personal odyssey that will take him across three continents. Using his privileged access to diplomatic secrets, he will risk his own life. Haunted by remorse Justin is driven to find the utter truth which happens to be a conspiracy more far-reaching and deadly than Quayle could ever have imagined. In his own investigation, Justin must not falter in his quest as he faces his memories, his colleagues, local police, hired thugs, and a corrupt corporate CEO. He discovers a powerful mystery involving the members of the British High Commission and the not-so-savory business practices of the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry. In the process of learning the secrets of his powerful enemies, Justin must learn all of his wife's many secrets as well. The film is very complex and requires you to pay attention closely. You may want to watch this film only when you have no distractions. The cinematography is superb and the use of toning helps juxtapose the African atmosphere with that of England and Europe. Africa is used with bright orange tones will England and Europe clips are very grey. I'll give this film a 4/5 for it's heavy message and moral dilemmas. IF YOU LIKE MY REVIEWS PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW BY VOTING. THANKS!Read full review
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.Read full review
When I saw the preview for this movie I couldn't wait to see it, but when I finally got to watch it it was a letdown. The previews and trailers for this movie make it look like a spy/action thriller but it doesn't come anywhere close to that. The movie has some great actors and good acting, but the storyline was lacking. The movie seemed to be put together poorly, moves very slowly, and was a little difficult to follow sometimes. The whole plot is basically just about the little guy trying to expose the big pharmacutical company in Africa. The whole movie seemed like a political statment and reminded me more of a documentary. Bottomline: If you want to see this movie then rent it. Not worth buying.
I found this movie very disturbing and on the dark side. It makes one feel like the poor on this planet are being used by large conglamorates for profit and slaps us in the face of this true reality. What does one have to do,to beat them at their own game and really succeed? Life is at best is very tenuable in this movie, and it shows how far one is willing to go to beat the "BAD PEOPLE" in this world. Bottom line, DEATH and in a very terrible manner; torture and rape and then burnt alive just so some men can become richer. It brings home a message most of us don't won't to accept as TRUTH. I personally can't see to many people liking this movie, it is more of an documentary film with darkness and most movie goers don't mind blood and gore if it is of a fictonal nature. But when it hits home with real people and lives, most of us will shy away and shut our eyes to the truth. I found it exceptional, but it haunted me for weeks after I viewed it. I don't think I will look at it again for quite awhile, if I ever watch it again at all. After having said all of the above, I would still give it 5 Stars. I don't think it will ever become a classic, but it was a honest attempt to make us all wake up to just what could happen to this nation if were are not careful.Read full review
When the Cold War ended and George Smiley hung up his hat, John le Carre turned to write about the principal injustices of the world. One injustice that grabbed his attention was the modus operandi of the pharmaceutical industry. The result was the haunting story of a mid-level British diplomat devoted to an idealistic wife who takes on the establishment and big business to unravel the truth about his wife's murder. It is a compelling book that has been cleverly adapted into a gripping and suspense-filled film. Dominating the action are superb performances from Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. The improbable strength and durability of their marriage are brilliantly captured. Passion for justice, the cycnicism of the diplomatic service, the unholy alliance between government and the pharmaceutical industry are cleverly woven into a background of love and decency to produce a poignant and realistic story. From start to finish the action is credible and dramatic without falling into the trap of sentimentality. It is not a fast-moving film, but it never drags. Interweaving of flashbacks and stark action produce a hauntingly plausible narrative that delights and repels the viewer. This is one of the best adaptations of its kind. It is an unusual film in that it retains many subtle characterizations of the book without losing touch with the central story. Every sub-plot, every twist, every flashback serves to give more substance to the overriding reality of a man's devotion to his wife and the accumulating evidence of the callous indifference, ambition and greed of everyone around them. Even the most passionate purists among le Carre fans will find this a compelling and sensitive production.Read full review
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