The Constant Gardener Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Love. At any cost.
British diplomat Justin Quayle meets the impulsive activist Tessa, marries her quickly at her behest and takes her on diplomatic mission in Kenya. When Tessa is brutally murdered, Justin decides to investigate her death against the strong wish of his superiors to let the matter quietly disappear. 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.
| Ralph Fiennes | Justin Quayle |
| Rachel Weisz | Tessa Quayle |
| Hubert Koundé | Dr. Arnold Bluhm |
| Danny Huston | Sandy Woodrow |
| Daniele Harford | Miriam |
| Packson Ngugi | Officer in Morgue |
| Damaris Itenyo Agweyu | Jomo's Wife |
| Bernard Otieno Oduor | Jomo |
| Gerard McSorley | Sir Kenneth 'Kenny' Curtiss |
| Bill Nighy | Sir Bernard Pellegrin |
| Keith Pearson | Porter Coleridge |
| John Sibi-Okumu | Dr. Joshua Ngaba |
| Donald Sumpter | Tim Donohue |
| Archie Panjabi | Ghita Pearson |
| Nick Reding | Crick |
| Fernando Meirelles |
7.70 out of 10 (39715 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Most indescribably awful steaming pile ever produced.
posted on 14 Aug 2009I see a lot of movies - from a lot of different genres. I have never hated one like this. Why? It's not the movie itself, which is absolutely horrendous. But I see a lot of irredeemably awful movies. What makes this one stand out is the attendant hype and praise which have been heaped upon it, as though the critical community has lost its collective mind.Is it really that bad? Yes. The director's idea of 'artful film-making' is to show grainy footage of birds flying repeatedly. It's completely contrived and embarrassing. Worse, the plot is, without giving anything away, utterly ridiculous. The contrived art of this film proceeds throughout as the director does everything he can to fill time except tell us an interesting tale.
Of some interest but generally rather confusing !
posted on 12 Aug 2009I was hoping for better before seeing this film but was left with a slightly weary feeling in my head after seeing it. I see this as a film appealing to lovers of Africa ( which is not my case ). If you want to see African landscapes, people, and everyday life, you will most surely enjoy this film which was shot for the most part in Kenya. I do like Ralph Fiennes as an actor but really found the story too confusing to be able to appreciate in one go. Thank God that some enlightened person has written on the IMDb message boards a full and detailed plot summary, which is probably better read just before seeing the film. I had the stupidity do to it after-wards but it did enlighten me on a few points but it still remained pretty obscure, partly due to the fact that it jumps around too much in time without giving due warning to the spectator and therefore wears out one's brain cells ! On the theme of "innocent-person-trying-to-uncover-a-huge-scandal", I preferred the film Erin Brockowitch which was far easier to follow but nevertheless maintained a certain suspense. In the Constant gardener, the story is so convoluted that the pleasure is lost.I can therefore only assume it was made for people with twisted brains who like this sort of stuff but that isn't my case ! But I would reiterate again the "African" element which will make the day of those who for one reason or another are attracted by that continent !
This is a very average story which is saved by its great local setting in Africa
posted on 10 Aug 2009There are three categories under which I judged this film.The first is as a thriller. Verdict: not too good. The plot is a rather threadbare old story of David and Goliath AKA the impassioned little conscientious nobody versus the exploitative corporation in bed with a government, the latter unholy liaison taking advantage of the chaos and corruption of an underdeveloped nation. Guess what happens to the little nobody. And guess what more, there is a final come-uppance to satisfy the cravings of our consciences. Actually of course this sort of stuff does all happen (although unfortunately Le Carre's specific imagined scenario in this case is absolutely unconvincing because it doesn't make sense)- but there's no real comment or analysis here other than "isn't it terrible, but we can win out in the end". Come on guys, you sound like a republican president.The next is as a romantic story. The characterization is nicely done by the actors, but by golly it didn't take the two leads long to get into the sack, and really the whole interpersonal setup is rather glib and formulaic. So not the best on that either.The third category is as a celebration of Africa, and in this case we seem to be getting somewhere. The landscape scenes are great and even more stunning are the local township scenes with lots of presumably local extras. They give a sense of stubborn joy and strength in the face of the great burden of poverty and disease (and of course the systematically neglectful attitudes of the world's wealthy nations) suffered by that continent. So basically Africa saves this film.Next time why not just make a doco?
It may not make a change, but it will make an impact !
posted on 04 Aug 2009This is one of the most touching pictures in modern history. I usually don't bother to comment on things I see or read because of laziness, but this one left no other option than to express my delightfulness. The performances by Rachel and Ralph are both to consider when it's time for the Oscars. Especially Rachel is so charismatic that I hardly can hold my tears back because of striking beauty and high performing acting. I get swept away by the almost documenting and authentic pictures of a country in desperate need. I suppose some of the pictures even are shot without any directions from the director. I'm thinking of the African kids running and playing. It feels like it though. And when I suspect the lack of directions that means of course that a masterpiece is about to be seen. Everybody knows that the continent is suffering and that we can make a different, but to see these people makes me want to volunteer. The capturing of exploitation is the main thing with this picture but it nevertheless includes intrigues and love on a personal basis. The love story between the two main characters is so much more than just a love story. The director succeeds to capture a lot of feelings and with the soundtrack it's a huge moving picture experience.
Dreadful, dreadful, dreadful
posted on 31 Jul 2009I agree with the message of The Constant Gardener, which is that big corporations exploit and kill and do bad things. But this piece of work is not a movie. I'm sure it made a lovely book, but there were so many things wrong with this story as film that I am absolutely flummoxed that people are so enthusiastic about it. First, the main character was completely passive. Even when he was decisive it was basically "Okay, now I'll get beaten up." Yes, that'll teach 'em. Second, the first half of the movie was told in flashback. Gee, way to engage the audience. Third, the main character was told where the proof that he needed was. What did he do? Nothing. Even the end, where the main character is vindicated, was basically effected by another character, not the "hero." Ugh.What a boring, stupid, awful mess.
Thought provoking
posted on 29 Jul 2009This movie is based on a book written by John Le Carre with the cast of Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. Both of the main cast have performed an outstanding role in the movie. Ralph Fiennes plays a British diplomat named Justin Quayle and Rachel Weisz plays his wife Tessa. Tessa is a fiery individual and she hates the War on Iraq. They meet each other in a confrontational mode where in she questions the war on Iraq supported by the British government. Justin is a quiet diplomat who lives in own world, enjoys gardening and not really willing to express his own opinion. The opposite poles attract each other and they fall in love and get married. Justin gets send to Kenya. Tessa being a fiery individual starts some work on her own that she keeps a secret from Justin. And she gets killed for her work. This transforms the quite gardener into a person with steely resolve to find out her work and bring her work to the end. This movie is based on big pharma companies who exploit the African people to conduct experiments on them treating them as human pigs.I enjoyed this movie a lot. This is not a movie for people who wants fun and laughter. This is a grim movie and the grimness is maintained till the end of the movie. This movie will bring a whole load of emotions to you. It will bring you some laughter, will pale you with the injustice and make you angry at your own helplessness. This movie will make you wonder if a difference exists between human and animals. A though provoking movie and i would advice everyone to see this movie. Definitely i will rate this movie to one of the best i have seen so far.I heard that this movie has been nominated for 4 Oscars. So enjoy watching it.
Unbelievable
posted on 29 Jul 2009The problem is not just bad film making but a bad story. It might have been a better story or a least felt fresher if it had been made in the early seventies where conspiracies of big business were just starting to take off in the public mind. At the current times the who story seems a bit of a, "so what". Corporation and government can't be trusted, so what. Are we really supposed to believe that a person schooled enough to become a British diplomat would be so naive as to the main character? The film apart from the bad story is just plain slow. It had all the pacing of a Melville novel. I'm no fan of Rambo action crap, but if I had a choice between watching this slow movie or watching an action version I would clearly chose the action. This one actually has you wanting someone to die or get murdered just to hurry the film up a bit. I had no idea watching it that it was made by the director of City of God. If I had know that, I would have been even more disappointed.
Truly moving
posted on 25 Jul 2009I found this to be a most moving experience. Having read the book, I was glad to see that the movie stayed true to Le Carré's version. I live in Africa, and was relieved that there was no sugar-coating of what really goes on in this sad continent of ours. The magnificent beauty of Africa can be seen in stark contrast to the heartbreaking ravages of AIDS, corruption, ignorance and a doomed desire to change things. The movie ends as it should, showing that there is no hope if a quick buck is the sole motivation of the people who choose to meddle where angels fear to tread. A must-see for any serious moviegoer who wants more that a brief thrill.
The Constant Gardener - good movie, odd at times
posted on 21 Jul 2009This is a powerful movie, but I considered it so only after watching it to the end. I found myself thinking on Tessa's nature even the next day, and pondering on the moral change one person can bring, even when the social change they effect is limited. However, it was only in the second half of the movie that I started to believe the plot. I found it quite difficult, in the first half, to "suspend my disbelief". The character of Justin (Ralph Fiennes) is quite believable. He is a shy, uninvolved man, becoming a diplomat that does not have much input in the politics around, a man with no job personality. His is a world of gardening, not one of people. In total opposition is Tessa's personality, always direct and forceful. There is a beautiful parallel between Justin and Tessa: he strives to remove the weeds from his gardens, while Tessa strives to remove the human "weeds" from her world. In one of Justin's recollections of Tessa (after her death), Tessa tries to wake him from sleep, joking that there is gardening to be done, weeds to be removed. This scene was eerie, implying (to me) that Tessa's murder would be punished, that Justin has work to do in removing the human "weeds" that have caused her death. He certainly did not have a belligerent or even strong nature, and only manages to cause the sacking of one character by the end of the movie, but at least there was some measure of closure and justice. Justice for Tessa, but not for the African populace that was the pharmaceutical company's guinea pig. Tessa's character only fully unravels by the end of the movie. The beginning is quite choppy, and makes the viewer seriously question her personal integrity: she appears to meet, bed and marry Justin in one day, and her choice of him as husband appears to be caused solely by his job and connections, rather than her affection for him. At this stage, Tessa appears to be nothing more than an extreme activist, and, even though hers is a good cause, she appears a fanatic none the less. In the end, the viewer sees her as someone who, knowing the right path, proceeds on it without delay and without fear for personal safety. I felt that a lot of scenes of the movie were intentionally presented in a manner confusing to the viewer, as seen from Justin's point of view, unclear of Tessa's nature and motivations. In one scene, Justin happens to overhear Tessa talking to Arnold of a "marriage of convenience" (discussing the political ramifications of the activities of drug companies). To Justin, never knowing what Tessa's work involved, her comment appears to be referring to her marriage to him as a loveless marriage of convenience. On an even higher note, the scene at the hospital, after Tessa gave birth, shows her breastfeeding a black baby, as Justin and Arnold look on - there is heavy silence for a few good seconds. The viewer starts thinking that indeed Arnold is the father of Tessa's baby, until her dialog with a newly arrived Sandy explains that her own baby died, while the baby she is feeding is that of the African girl in the next bed over, who died in childbirth. In the end, the viewer is impacted by Tessa's strong determination, lack of fear and her capacity for love (to Justing and the African people around her). She never realizes that Justin has become suspicious of her, after reading an offensive email intended for her, in which she and Arnold are mentioned. Justin finds out from Ghita, after Tessa's death, that Arnold is gay. To his question of why Tessa never mentioned this to him, Ghita responds that perhaps Tessa never thought she needed to say this to Justin. Apart from the personal stories of Justin & Tessa and the actions and motivations of their social group, the backdrop of the movie is the sick and forgotten African people, who are suffering and dying in huge numbers, caught between the machinations of greedy corporations and the abject poverty in which they are kept. The viewer gets a strong feeling that, for them, there is just no way out, and that one of the first reasons this is so is white people's lack of identification with or empathy for the Africans. Their "otherness", be it color or poverty, keeps the people of the developed world removed from the plea of the Africans. It is only the Tessas of the world that see beyond that, and choose to act, against all consequences.
Smart, Stylish Thriller that Visualizes the Political Made Personal
posted on 21 Jul 2009"The Constant Gardener" is an intelligent thriller that demonstrates that stylish can also mean smart.The key is that it's not only a good story with a sharp political point (I haven't read the John Le Carré novel that is its basis-- and the lengthy credits include a disclaimer from him that it is not inspired by a specific case but by corporate behavior in general), but it is also a visual feast with emotional resonance.The surprising choice of Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, of the gritty "City of God (Cidade de Deus)," may have been partly intended to give a third world imprimatur to prevent the usual mainstream Africa movie curse of condescendingly focusing on white heroes, and we do get a more realistic exposé of the naiveté of the main characters than most such ennobling ventures. But we also are swept into a maelstrom of feelings structurally, with warm flashbacks as an almost stream of consciousness memories, and through the colorful cinematography, with intense images of Africa as a crowded palette of brightly colored clothes, dark skin, parched land, bleached horizons contrasted with the lush British backyard gardens (an international symbol of imperial-era colonialism so the title is particularly layered). The constantly moving camera pulls back in almost every scene so we see the context and repeated scenes take on different interpretations as Ralph Fiennes' character learns more and more about his wife's activities, and we are challenged to suspect her motives, though the sharp editing is a bit manipulative in sidetracking us to make visual assumptions, but is effective at capturing his insecurity and paranoia. The plot may not make 100% sense, particularly about one crucial confusing character, but that is doubtless due to the necessity of script compaction from a novel. While it is amusing that the teen nephew leads Feinnes through his wife's quite sophisticated computer and videophone files and it does seem as if the crucial information is readily available unmysteriously online, the graphics are very good at communicating complex information quickly, balancing explication with keeping the story flowing, helped by the propulsive music (though surprisingly not that much African music). Rachel Weisz's character does seem an obsessive gadfly activist, including sacrificing the health of her unborn child to her politics, but the film is honest about crediting organizations who do work day in and day out with serious issues of health, particularly TB and AIDS, and aid in Africa, both in the story and in the credits. Certainly the pernicious persistence of local corruption is plainly shown as equal part of the problems along with capitalist greed. I particularly admired that the film does not let the characters - or the audience-- take the usual Western out of feeling good about helping individual adorable kids but keeps its eye on the wider, endemic issues. Fiennes' character demonstrably matures from an older, mild-mannered bureaucrat to topsy turvy by falling head over heels in love with a younger woman and then very gradually taking on her legacy. His emotional awakening keeps us off-center because it could just as well be "Body Heat" of a sexy charismatic vixen wrapping a guy around her anatomy that's going on as the political machinations of "The Manchurian Candidate." Notably, he does not become a super hero, but is an ordinary guy searching for the truth, no matter where it leads as he tries to fulfill why she chose to be with him.
Thriller with heart and soul
posted on 19 Jul 2009"The Constant Gardener" is an ambitious movie, attempting to be a combination of thriller, romance, and message film. Fortunately, it mostly succeeds. Though the film's action ranges across two continents and its plot deals with corporate scheming in the globalized world, it also has an intimate, human feel. This is achieved by focusing on two characters, mild- mannered diplomat Justin and his activist wife Tessa.Fernando Meirelles' flashy directing style may take a little getting used to, but he has a great visual flair—whether photographing the harsh beauty of arid African landscapes and teeming city slums, or the more conventional beauty of Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. He has also prompted these actors into giving two wonderful performances. Weisz does not shy away from the task of portraying a heroine who does unlikable or foolish things; Fiennes gives a convincing depiction of Justin's political awakening. Though Justin and Tessa initially seem mismatched, their romance eventually becomes very real and moving. So many love stories are either cynical or sentimental; "The Constant Gardener," happily, is neither.My only problem with "The Constant Gardener" is its plot—usually the most satisfying part of a thriller, but the least satisfying part of this film. Certain sequences could be much more suspenseful (it feels like we learn what the bad guys are up to much too early), and other moments that are meant to be suspenseful just feel contrived (such as when nomads decide to raid an obscure African village at the very moment Justin goes there in search of information). Still, the message about corporate corruption is an important one, and the skilled actors and interesting direction make "The Constant Gardener" well worth watching.
A Great Le Carre Adaptation!
posted on 15 Jul 2009John Le Carre's novels (Absolute Friends, Single & Single, The Russia House, The Tailor of Panama, etc.) are intelligent, prescient, witty, and have contained the most insight into global politics for decades. He wrote this in the years prior to 2000 and released it in 2000, and you will be amazed by its timeliness today. This adaptation of The Constant Gardener rivals The Russia House in terms of honesty to the novel, great performances, great locations, suspense, great direction, etc. This is truly a great movie that you will savor for a long while. The director is excellent and the cinematography and photography are creative. The lead performances will stay with you. You will see this movie at Oscar time. There is nothing like reading Le Carre's novels (or listening to him read an unabridged audio version!) - but this movie adaptation envelops and astounds.
Mystery and Romance
posted on 09 Jul 2009The Constant Gardener is a dramatic film layered with the element of romance. A husband finds out his wife was brutally murdered and he decides to investigate. Tessa (played by Rachel Weisz) lived with her husband Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) in Africa. She has a great desire to help people and had been researching a new experimental TB drug called Dyproxy. Her inquiries revealed cover ups and deaths. Justin then discovers all this as he takes up his wife's work.You can see, as the story progresses, how much Justin becomes like Tessa. He now understands what she had been fighting for and wishes he could do even more to help those he can't.Ultimately, a story of mystery. Throughout the beginning of the movie, much of the story is told through flashbacks and the director (Fernando Meirelles, "City of God") does the transitions in seamless ways and tells the rest of the story passionately. Fiennes and Weisz make an excellent on-screen couple and never travel away from a normal relationship.
My Fave This Year
posted on 07 Jul 2009I saw this film months ago and still have it in my head. Who knew Rachel Weisz had real acting in her? Who knew Ralph Fiennes could be nebbishy and likable (and even a bit sexy)? Who knew that a film from such a populist writer's work could be so political,controversial and timely? This story of a political company man seeking out the cause of his lefty wife's death goes far beyond where I would have expected it to. The acting is aces, the story is touching, and the music stays with me to this day. The cinematography, while very daringly fluid for this kind of film, is gorgeous and appropriate. It was the best film of the year, for me, with one of the Best Supporting actresses. To boot, its message of corporate greed and its questioning of the Pharma industry is both brave and completely on the mark. Above all, however, Ralph Fiennes pulls you right into this story with his subtlety, his brilliant display of quietly passionate love, and his (I will not spoil things here) graceful final scenes.
Okay but inferior to the book
posted on 03 Jul 2009Translating John Le Carre books to film has always been difficult and "Constant Gardner" succeeds no worse and no better than most. To be sure, Ralph Fiennes is a superb actor, Rachel Weisz is gorgeous and the impact of African scenery adds a good deal. But, although Le Carre's books always have a tightly constructed narrative, what makes them into literary sensations is not the story but the style and the interior development of the characters. That can't easily be transferred to the screen -- and for the most part attempts to do so have fallen far short. Anyone who imagines that seeing a movie based on a John Le Carre novel is like reading the novel is just plain wrong. The novels are invariably better than the films, no matter how faithfully the story has been rendered and no matter what has been added by giving visual reality to character and place. One can think of many other authors whose works likewise defy motion picture treatment but in most other cases it's because narrative isn't at the core of the book's strengths. The only author I can think of who is similar to Le Carre in the mix of narrative and style is Graham Greene -- and at least two of his books, "Our Man in Havana" and "Third Man" were made into exceptional movies. I wish some one would do Le Carre an equally good turn.
Undirected dribble
posted on 01 Jul 2009Its 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.
Fernando Meirelles made another great movie
posted on 25 Jun 2009Fernando Meirelles made a perfect movie called City of God.His first movie spoken on English is The constant gardener,another great movie from this great director.This movie is a political thriller.But it is not a traditional political thriller.Shallow movies like The sum of all fears and The interpreter are political thrillers with action scenes.The constant gardener is a political thriller without action scenes and this movie reminded me The quiet American another great movie.The message this movie leaves is simply great.But the best thing of all is that behind all the mystery this movie has there's a love story and that is simply great.If you wanna see a great and intelligent political thriller,you need to watch The constant gardener.
Moving and intelligent.
posted on 19 Jun 2009Simply stunning. Putting aside the breathtaking location shots and concentrating on the plot lines which kept me so enthralled - I wish I'd read the book before going to see it as everyone here is saying how it's better. I saw this last night on it's first night of general release in the UK and I have never heard an audience stay so quiet with concentration. I felt genuine compassion for all the characters, most particularly Ralph Fiennes exquisitely understated British Embassy official. Rachel Weisz certainly got into the spirit of things by being very obviously actually pregnant for much of the film! John Le Carre has done it again, the man's a genius anyway, but this just goes to prove it. It made me feel like jacking in the corporate rat race and donating everything to charity, moving to Africa and doing something about the bigger issues. Truly inspiring, educational, unbiased and bloody scary. Even the deaf old git in the row in front shut up after 20 minutes of asking his wife 'do we know what's happening?'. It shows how corruption can spread from just one bad egg, how greed controls the whole world if we're not careful about our morals and ethics and how love can drive one person to certain death in pursuit of the truth. I loved this film. I'm off to Africa to fight the drug companies single handed.
This film is a cross between "The Insider" and "Hotel Rwanda".
posted on 09 Jun 2009This film is a cross between "The Insider" and "Hotel Rwanda". Ralph Fiennes plays Justin Quayle, an English diplomat assigned to Kenya; whose wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), is on a mission. She is idealistic and wants to make a difference. The problem is she does not know what she is up against.Based on the best-selling John le Carré novel and directed by Fernando Meirelles (the Academy Award-nominated director of "City of God"), this movie is a strong drama of a woman's fight to make a difference in Africa. Because if she doesn't, who will? This movie really illustrates the harsh conditions of Northern Kenya and how cheap life really is in all of Africa. It demonstrates how with the right backing, large corporations can get away with almost anything. Almost anything.Both Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz are good in this movie. They really convince you that they care foe one another. While at the same time, they contend with their own struggles.
Powerful message... in bits and pieces
posted on 24 Aug 2009What happens when an industry skips the road of systematic research (which usually takes a long time) and tries to achieve its goals by 'other' shorter methods, even if they might mean harm to other aspects of society? If you do not already know about such cases, go and watch one of them in this movie. I think getting introduced to them by this movie would be far better than reading a few sentences in this comment.The movie has good music... and I think it goes well with the several phases of the movie. However, as far as overall direction is concerned, it is not as good... it is predictable and it is broken... I would have rather wanted to see something smoother... because a concept with such a powerful message, if added with a great direction could turn out to be a spectacular movie... something that stays in your mind forever...However, even for the message's sake... go and watch it.