The Constant Gardener

Plot synopsis:
Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), a shy, low-level British diplomat and horticultural hobbyist posted in Kenya, is one to avoid making a fuss until he learns that his wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz) was found dead in the veld. Tessa has been murdered at a crossroads along with her Kenyan driver. Her doctor colleague Arnold Bluhm (Hubert Koundé) is initially suspected of her murder but is later found to have himself been murdered on the same day as Tessa. Various rumours abound that the two were having an affair; however, it is later revealed that Bluhm was gay.
In flashbacks, we see how in London, Justin met his future wife Tessa, an outspoken humanitarian and Amnesty activist. He falls in love with her and she persuades him to take her back with him to Kenya. Despite their loving marriage, Tessa keeps from Justin the reason why she approached him in the first place - to investigate a suspicious drug trial in Kenya and expose it. When Tessa starts getting too close to uncovering the malpractices of an influential and powerful pharmaceutical company, she and her colleague are brutally murdered.
As the mystery surrounding his wife's death unfolds, Justin becomes determined to get to the bottom of her murder. He soon runs up against a drug corporation that is using Kenya's population for fraudulent testing of a tuberculosis drug ("dypraxa"). The drug has known harmful side effects, but the corporation completely disregards the well-being of its underprivileged African test subjects.
Sir Bernard Pellegrin (Bill Nighy) is the head of the Africa Desk at the Foreign Office and he is the boss both of Justin and of the British High Commissioner, Sandy Woodrow (Danny Huston). In his investigations, Justin discovers that Tessa hid from him a report about the deaths caused by dypraxa, and he obtains an incriminating letter that Tessa took from Sandy.
Justin confronts Sandy, who tells him that what Tessa wanted was to stop the dypraxa tests and redesign the drug. However, this would have cost millions of dollars and significantly delayed the drug, during which time other competing drugs would have surfaced. Pellegrin considered Tessa's report too damaging, and proclamied she had to be stopped.
The company threatens Justin: he must stop his investigations or join his wife. In one instance, agents are sent to beat him up. Still determined, Justin takes a UN aid plane to the village where the doctor lives who provided Tessa with the clinical data behind her report. The doctor gives Justin a copy of the report, but the village is raided by armed tribesmen on horseback, and they are forced to flee from the carnage to the plane.
Justin has the plane drop him off at the place where Tessa died. There he thinks about Tessa; he tells her memory that he knows all her secrets, that he understands her now, and that he is coming home. Shortly afterwards, he is killed in an organized hit.
At the funeral of Tessa and Justin, Arthur Hammond (Tessa's close cousin and Justin's friend) reads the incriminating letter written by Bernard Pellegrin to Sandy Woodrow. In the letter, Pellegrin ordered the surveillance of Tessa, expressly to block her reports detailing the deaths caused by dypraxa. The company could not be held responsible for the dypraxa deaths if they never officially received the reports. The scandal having been revealed, Pellegrin leaves the ceremony followed by journalists.

Tags: suspenseful, mystery, murder, realism, dramatic, violence, atmospheric, flashback, romantic

Review:
The jittery, hand-held camera sequences added to the dramatic tension and underscored the urgency of coming to terms with poverty and disease.The romantic portion of the film was anchored by the two characters played by Ralph Fiennes (Justin) and Rachel Weisz (Tessa).
Ralph Fiennes stars as a British diplomat whose complacency is challenged when he is forced into a soul searching quest for the reasons behind the tragic death of his activist wife (Rachel Weisz) that uncovers a sinister pharmaceutical company in cahoots with British and Kenyan governments testing a new TB drug on expendable HIV+ Africans.Fiennes gives his most humanistic and endearing performance ever, perhaps even topping his Oscar nominated turns in "Schindler's List" and "The English Patient." Rachel Weisz is an illuminating revelation, turning in the performance of her career.
Director Fernando Meirelles takes the amazing style he honed with "City of God" and adds a heart with "The Constant Gardener," a big heart that bleeds a beautiful cinematic poeticism onto the screen.This film truly rewards its audience as it works on so many levels.
We the audience join Fiennes on his journey, and we rediscover the love story between he and his wife that anchors the film in a poetic realism usually reserved for movies with much less on their minds.To top it off, it's all delivered in the maddeningly genius Meirelles style that took critics and audiences by storm in his debut "City of God".
Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes both deserve Oscar nominations for their superb performances and Fernando Meirelles deserves one as well for his superb direction that puts you smack in the middle of the story that is unfolding right in front of you.Hands down, the best film of the year so far..
Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes give career best performances in this film and that's a huge compliment considering the fact that they are good in almost everything they do, even in bad movies.
The director compliments both of them with a view of Africa that is rarely seen in film and a sense of reality that is only found in real life.Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes and Fernando Meirelles all should be honored at award season for their amazing efforts in this film because as of right now, this is with out a doubt the film to beat come Oscar time..
Ralph Fiennes gives the performance of his career as a grieving man looking for answers and is slowing discovering the corruption all around him and Rachel Weisz steals the film whole heartily with a really deserving Oscar worthy performance as a human rights activist who will stop at nothing to get at the truth.
Since the film starts off very early with the death of Tessa and then continues with Justin's journey of discovery to find out the cause of her death which only seems to bring even more heartache and anger.....the non-linear style allowed for some light hearted moments from Justin and Tessa's marriage to break up the tension.The performances by both Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes are excellent.
Slow tension building thriller that is charge even more with the great performances of Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes, who both bring an essence of realism to their roles and a sense of chemistry that is really not found in movies like this anymore.
Fienne's role as that of a somewhat distant man is the perfect complement to this.Visually, this is one of the finest films I've seen in years; the editing is brilliant and the cinematography is beautiful; the DP gives us subtle stylistic cues and approaches which highlight the many different worlds we encounter, from the abject poverty of Africa to the interior of a private London club.
Fiennes is a love interest to the luscious Weisz, someone who offers an opportunity to cut the red tape and speed the truth about the mischief to which the drug company(s) are up to in Africa.It's a brilliant movie showcasing how third world countries are (or can be) exploited.
A love story told from a unique perspective, the plot extends through corruption, murder and how international corporations influence government and value peoples' lives by the currency of their relative media value.I loved the film and the story despite the deep shame it made me feel about my ignorance of what the government that claims to represent me might be doing around the world and the genuine plight of the African peoples and how, probably, some of my good fortune in life is at their expense.This is a thought provoking film - there was almost absolute silence in the theatre when the film finished - I hope lots of people go to see the film and then stop to ask themselves how much of the story is true, how much is credible and what they want to do about it.Credit goes to Le Carre, he has a position where he can raise the profile of hugely important issues in the public eye, ask difficult questions and if this is the standard he sets, long may he continue..
"City of God" director, Fernando Meirelles, does NOT disappoint with his film translation of the John Le Carré novel "The Constant Gardener." His treatment of the violence is on par with "COG." Subtly shown, emotionally felt, yet not glorified.
Her husband, Justin, starts investigating what his wife was working on, and soon finds his life is in danger.So, the movie is basically a well acted murder mystery with a believable plot and resolution.FINAL VERDICT: Well written.
Directed with panache, intrigue and passion in both scope and focus by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles (City of God), has created a tale of international dimensions.Based on the work of John le Carré, Gardener shows us the sinister side of pharmaceutical multinationals, where human life in Third World countries serves to supply perverse drug trials, in pursuit of even bigger record profits.
Also, Quayle, now quite repentant for having doubted his wife to the extent he did, now comes to realize that the most suitable place for him would have been beside the woman who loved him so much.Thusly, Gardener combines several diverse elements like suspense, political intrigue, romance, action, research and international outreach with masterful skill and powerful intensity....9*ENJOY / DISFRUTELA!
Every 5th movie made in the last five years or so has been produced in this junk style of quasi-artistic film-making characterized by erratic photography and Cunard editing masquerading as tension and suspense in a screenplay that runs the risk of being discovered as devoid of plot if presented in sequence or photographed in an intelligible manner.Why!?
The film concerns about an obstinate and mild-mannered widow named Justin Quayle(Ralph Fiennes),the constant gardener,,he must discover the wife 's death named Tess(Rachel Weisz).She appeared in the lagoon Turkana(location of human being's origin) at a remote zone of Northern Kenya.Tessa'companion,an African medic named Blum,he has fled and is the prime suspect.Quayle helped by his friend Sandy Woodrow(Danny Huston), embarks in a dangerous journey which will take various countries risking his own life and confronting against nasties and powerful pharmacy company ruled by magnate named Pellegrin( Bill Nighy)in charge of delivering vaccine AID,HIV positive into African continent .Meanwhile he memorizes records with Tessa,their lovely relationship by means of continuous flashbacks.He investigates a powerful corporation called CEO, a conspiracy by strange British High Commission and the wrongfully practices and corrupts business of the billionaire pharmaceutical enterprises in third world.The picture based on John Le Carre novel displays emotion,thriller,suspense and thought-provoking drama.
Although sometimes is slow moving,however is developed with sensibility and intelligence but are narrated ethics,moral issues with great sense of ductility ,besides a sour politic critical about the unjust practices of pharmaceutical industry .The tale is supposedly to take place in Kenya ,instead of in South Africa where most part of the production is placed.Exceptional performances for all casting with special mention for two main actors: Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.She's actually pregnant in a nudism scenes.She won Oscar Academy Award for best acting by an actress in a supporting role.Fernando Mereilles won Alma Award by outstanding director of a motion picture.Evocative,sensible music for nominated Alberto Iglesias(Pedro Almodovar's usual musician) and appropriately cinematography by Cesar Charlone(Merielles' habitual cameraman).Direction by Fernando Mereilles(Oscar winner by City of God,an unflinching portrayal at the underbelly of Rio Janeiro)) is awesome and stylish .The flick will like to denounce-drama enthusiastic and Fiennes and Weisz fans.Rating: Above average..
When I saw that before seeing the movie, I thought "that's kind of cheesy, isn't it...?" Also the preview of the movie led me to think it was more or less of a love story between Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz...
It was about love between people Caring about others And managed to keep it all going under any circumstance and threat I have to admit that I do not know so much about Africa All I know is mostly through a few news articles or TV clips or even movies And most of them are very gloomy Like children suffering from AIDS left to die and sometimes even blamed to be responsible of infecting others Or housewives (or any female in that matter) being constant subjects of domestic violence Young children forced to go to fight in civil war and losing their limbs Most of time, I'd read it and get enraged for a few minutes then went on with my daily life Because it's happening from far away I wasn't really involved Like those who pulled out from Rwanda Leaving so many of them dead Because there wasn't enough for the other countries to benefit from by helping them out So This movie was about those who cared about people in Africa (kenya to be exact) and tried to do their best to help who's in need Their love, compassion for people they were not directly involved yet they went out of their way And even risked their lives Yes, it's fictional but you can only imagine what's happening in the movie is based on reality Even at the very end of the credit, they dedicated to the movie to the people died for giving a damn Also the way the movie shows Africa is heartbreaking It shows people who are in desperate situation yet strong to survive And positive Really hope one day we all realize that we cannot go on ignoring them Especially the children  In terms of movie making it's just beautiful Ralph Fiennes is absolutely one of the best actors of our time Then Rachel Weisz is a dynamite here You can see how their characters changes throughout the movie Ralph Fiennes plays Justin, a diplomat who is very tender, loving, honest and loves gardening And he meets Tessa (Rachel Weisz) who is strong willed and humanitarian Then they fall in love Their love scene was one of the most beautiful love scene I've seen in years (wait, I just saw another great one in "Grand Hotel (1932)") And the way Fernando Meirelles filmed it with so much light was just gorgeous Then they move to Kenya together and Tessa gets heavily involved with social workers there Yet she decided not to involve Justin that makes Justin feel uncomfortable and losing his trust in her Yet he still loves her by all the ways he knows Like how he cares about his plants With all the tenderness and care Then Tessa gets murdered mysteriously while she was on a trip with one of her closest friend who happens to be male With so many secrets left, Justin wants to find out what Tessa was doing Which leads him to get to know her better and truly touched by her And understand her and what her world was made of  It sounds cheesy but I think this movie showed true love Love.
When Tessa is brutally raped and murdered, Justin decides to investigate her death, disclosing a powerful secret involving corruption with the members of the British High Commission and corporations of pharmaceutical business."The Constant Gardener" is a complex, intelligent and strong political thriller.
Ralph Fiennes fits perfectly in the role of the calm Justin Quayle; the evolution of the versatile Rachel Weisz in her career is amazing and she has a stunning performance in the role of a passionate activist; and the Brazilian Fernando Meirelles, in his first work after "Cidade de Deus", uses the same style, with a work of camera that looks like a documentary.
The same nausea ran over me throughout the second hour, although a lot of those ill feelings were based simply on the unbelievable characters - like the "all-powerful government agent" stereotype, the "hapless and blind paramour stereotype," and the "goons who beat up the antagonist as a warning" stereotype.In light of his filmography, Mr. Fiennes deserves a pass for choosing so droll a script, and Rachel Weisz probably has a lot left in her career, but this was not the vehicle to get her over the top.1 star for the Emily Rose trailer that played before this disaster rolled..
My wife left the theater to puke but liked the plot enough to come back in.The relationship between Fiennes and Weisz kept the movie held together.
I liked the movie too specially because it involves the story about the a person who wants to fight for justice but not for herself but for them who are in trouble and are suffering .This is the best political movie I have ever watched .And the fact that it is a political love story is even more wonderful .I specially love the role Rachel plays specially in the scene where she meet her husband for the first time and the part where Tessa's husband tries to complete the thing that his beloved wife had started and died for.
I don't think so .Other things very good about the movie is that it speaks the truth it tries to uncover the stories that are knowingly being hidden from the public's view .Truly a part of me did get moved after watching this movie ,are this things really happening in places like Africa .As I myself am from an underdeveloped country this movie forced me to think that what will happen to my country if we aren't going to something right away .And lastly the best for this movie to be so good is because of the brilliant performance by the lead actor and actress.
Galloping copied from "Magnificent 7" instead of even the original.From there, the movie enters a mode that is half Hollywood drek (the missing letter read at the funeral) and half manufactured intelligent doom, love manifested in death.I wish I could be as excited about this as I was with "City" and as I leaned into the first part of this.We needed more of Weisz (what a surprise!) of Meirelles and texture, and less of Le Carre and Fiennes.The two parts don't mix.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements..
Mr. Mereilles has directed a film that, while has its heart in the right place, as others have commented in this forum, can be seen as preachy, at best.The other aspect of the film makes a thriller out of it when Justin Quayle, the meek British working for the government and based in Africa sees his young wife and her assistant brutally killed and that is when he takes the matter into his hands.The film will satisfy most viewers because the action never stops and Mr. Mireilles has done wonders to get us involved in all he is showing on the screen.Ralph Fiennes makes Justin Quayle come alive.
The rest of the cast does good work under the director's guidance."The Constant Gardener" is a film that makes one think about what happens to the poor people suffering from disease and are in effect guinea pigs in the process..
"The Constant Gardener" is a well-crafted story with many fine performances, starting with Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz, and including the many character actors who make this film feel viscerally real and true.
The Constant Gardner is an extremely surprising film in which Ralph Fiennes takes the life of Justin Quayle and blends it into the globe-trotting secrets of his spouse, played by Rachel Weisz.
We need more intelligent films talking about the reality of the world we live in and stories about what is happening in Africa right now and the possibility that pharmaceutical companies are doing things like this..
But thankfully, the substance at times tries its best to catch up with its director.Ralph Fiennes and particularly Rachel Weisz are very good in the film as Justin and Tessa, a diplomat and his wife, who in Africa witness some minor atrocities going on with the health-care system (more accurately, the lack thereof).
I would say it was good movie but not a great one.It seemed to me that the film was trying to do and be too many things, so the emotional impact it had on me was far less than what I think it should have been, given the basic story and quality of the performances.
I never read the book, so I can't compare the film to it.I think my major problems were these: 1.The way the story is told never enabled me to really feel the level of love that was supposed to exist between ""Justin" (Ralph Fiennes) and "Tessa" (Rachel Weisz), and it was this love that was supposed to enable "Justin" to change and choose the course of action that is the center of the story- the protagonist's "quest".2.While the scenes of the conditions the Kenyans and Sudanese (I believe that a later scene was shot in Sudan) live under made me feel sympathy (and to some degree, guilt), there wasn't one main character who was a native of this environment- they were nameless faces who were supposed to symbolize the results of the exploitation and corruption that victimize Africa and her people.
Almost anything.Both Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz are good in this movie.