Film Review: The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener (15)
Dir. Fernando Meirelles

Reviewed by Matt Adcock


Every once in a while you come across a film that stops you in your tracks, grips you from start to finish and leaves you thinking about the world in a completely different way. No, that film is not Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - which is a fun slab of dark flavoured magical nonsense at best, I’m talking about The Constant Gardener.
Based on the best-selling John le Carré novel and from the Academy Award-nominated director of City of God. This is quality filmmaking that exceeds expectations with stunning cinematography, classy acting and nicely paranoia inducing plot.

In a remote area of Northern Kenya, do gooding activist Tessa Quayle (Rachel Weisz) is found brutally murdered. A doctor who was travelling with her – and may have been her lover - appears to have fled the scene, and the evidence points to a crime of passion. Members of the British High Commission in Nairobi assume that Tessa's widower, mild-mannered Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), will leave the matter to them. Unfortunately they hadn’t banked on his desire to find the truth behind his wife’s murder and in doing so he uncovers a deadly global conspiracy. Basically, in case you haven’t been keeping up on current events – it seems that big pharmaceutical companies are right up there with the arms dealers when it comes to king sized scumbags and regard for human life. A measure of just how moving the plight of the people featured in this film is, when the film was completed, the filmmakers set up The Constant Gardener Trust to help the inhabitants of the slums near Nairobi where the crew had been filming. I can honestly say that if you have even an ounce of humanity knocking around in your heart you too will be deeply affected.
Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes, both bring a wonderful essence of realism to their roles and their on screen chemistry has a sizzle not often found in such high brow fare.
If you like your thrillers chock full of slow burning tension, insidious bad guys who will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden and even the occasional eyebrow raising saucy scene then you’ll be wanting to book an appointment with The Constant Gardener at your earliest convenience. Otherwise you could follow the crowds and catch young Mr Potter as he packs in as many punters as possible before the box office festive double whammy of Narnia and King Kong hit next month.

Darkmatt Rating: öööö (pure class - a 'must see' film)

"stunning photography - of the stunning Rachel Weisz"

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