The Constant Gardener
published on Dec 03rd, 2005 // 0 Comments
An adaptation by City of God director Fernando Meirelles of the best-selling John le Carré novel of the same name this highly charged political thriller impresses.
Don’t be turned off by the title. This is a gripping film from beginning to finish with suspense, romance and political corruption. Its storyline left me incorrect in all of my assumptions along the way. Its fast, over the shoulder cinematic experience worked. You will need quite a bit of attention for this film as its non linear style for story telling could leave you behind. It is clever though and you find yourself filling in pieces in your head as the film progresses.
Justin played by Ralph Fiennes is a British diplomat who falls for a human-rights activist called Tessa played by Rachel Weisz. Both performances are flawless. Ralph Fiennes playing it utterly convincingly.
The story starts with a jolt as Tessa has been murdered in Northern Kenya, her traveling companion apparently fled the scene.Tessa’s activities have always been a secret to Justin. Hints of infidelities plagued him when she was alive. He pulls himself away from his garden (which is is constantly pruning) and hurls himself into a one man mission. The mission to uncover the truth behind his wife’s death.
In true thriller fashion, Justin ends up not knowing who to trust when politics become involved. He learns his deceased wife has confronted officials bought off by pharmaceutical corporations manufacturing experimental medication. Therein lies a host of possible conspirators, possibly involving diplomats played by Danny Huston and Bill Nighy, who deliver a great performances, and a doctor played by Pete Postlethwaite.
The locations do bob and weave a bit and it is hard to lock down exactly what country they are actually in at some points but the portrait of Kenya alone is stunning with visuals that could be a documentary in their own. Overall is is an entertaining and successful adaptation by City of God director Fernando Meirelles.
