CORPORATE LINE: Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, whose previous film, CITY OF GOD, won awards all over the world–and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Oscars–has crafted another highly entertaining yet important film. Beautifully shot in Kenya, Germany, Sudan, Manitoba, and London, THE CONSTANT GARDENER, based on a bestselling novel by John Le Carré, is an exciting mix of romance and spy thriller. Ralph Fiennes stars as Justin Quayle, a low-level British diplomat who has always gone about his work very quietly, not causing any problems. But after his radical wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), is killed, he becomes determined to find out why, thrusting himself into the middle of a very dangerous conspiracy. Jeffrey Caine’s powerful screenplay alternates between flashbacks of Justin and Tessa’s relationship and Justin’s hunt for the truth, which makes him a target–although he doesn’t know who is after him. Fine support is offered by Danny Huston as his close friend and confidant, Sandy; Bill Nighy as shady British official Sir Bernard Pellegrin; and Hubert Koundé as Arnold Bluhm, an African doctor who might have been a little too friendly with Tessa. Meirelles’s pacing is outstanding, switching effortlessly between political intrigue, action adventure, and love story. And Fiennes and Weisz give strong performances playing complex characters that will continually surprise the audience. THE CONSTANT GARDENER is a thrilling tale from start to finish.
THE GOOD: Director Fernando Meirelles has produced an absolutely gorgeous movie. Ralph Fiennes is a fine actor and proves it once again. Rachel Weisz is great in her role as an activist—and is able to muster up enough emotion that you’ll become entrapped.
Fiennes’ relentlessness to discover what happened to his wife is constantly moving. The deeper we get into the movie the more and more Fiennes mastery is understood. Fiennes takes this story and carries it on his back.
The plight of Africa and its destruction from within is seen frame after frame. The disgusting shantytowns give pause to think about how well we have it. It doesn’t seem possible to make a film centered on such pain and despair look so magnificent.
THE EXTRAS:
Deleted Scenes – Many of the scenes are obvious why they were cut as many are already covered with the film.
“Extended Scene: Haruma” – Is an extension of the play in Kibera.
“Embracing Africa: Filming in Kenya” – Features cast and crew discussing why they decided to shoot the movie in Africa.
“John Le Carre: From Page to the Screen” – Is one of the best featurettes. Le Carre is interviewed about taking the novel to the screen.
“Anatomy of a Global Thriller: Behind the Scenes of The Constant Gardener” – Is a fluff piece featurette that is little more than a piece attempting to get us to watch The Constant Gardner. This really seems odd considered we already have the DVD.
FRANKLY: The Constant Gardner didn’t get better upon the second viewing. The plot takes too long to unfold. Yet, if you stick around long enough you will be glad you did.
+ Charlie Craine
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