The Constant Gardener

THE CONSTANT GARDENER
UIP
RELEASED 11 November 2005
Based on a bestselling novel by John Le Carré, ‘The Constant Gardener’ is an exciting thriller that will leave you questioning the role of drug companies in Africa. It’s also one of the best tragic romance tales since ‘The English Patient’.
Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), a quiet, low-level British diplomat stationed in Kenya, is shocked to find his wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz) has been found murdered on a lonely desert road. The African doctor (Hubert Koundé) she was travelling with has disappeared, and his best friend Sandy (Danny Huston) seems to know more about Tessa’s political leanings than he did. It isn’t long before Quayle is getting beaten up and receiving death threats while desperately seeking the truth about awful life and death decisions being made in Kenya.
The narrative flicks back in time to show us parts of the love story, while hurtling a powerless Fiennes towards the truth. There is something of the ‘noir’ genre to this tale of the little man on the run and battling against what time he may have left. The pace never lets up, and you’re totally engrossed in the subterfuge, action and romance of the story. The relationship between Justin and Tessa is beautifully told, from their impassioned first encounter where Justin is the figure of authority, to their new life in Kenya where Tessa blossoms into a real force for action in Kenya, while Justin is more concerned with tending his precious garden. There is some uncomfortable filmmaking that pushes the audience from a tender love scene to the horrific burnt corpse of Tessa.
Performance-wise, the film is faultless. Ralph Fiennes should get an Oscar nomination next year, so confidently does he slip from the nervous, unthinking British diplomat to the avenging angel. Rachel Weisz shines as the brave Tess, all-too-aware death waits just around the corner but unable to veer from her crusading path, or to even confide in her husband. Bill Nighy plays a slimy corporation tool, and Pete Postlethwaite pops up near the end to add some revealing drama (as well as another accent, this time South African, to his collection!)
The film is sumptuously shot, soaring aerial photography in Kenya of birds and the lush landscape contrasting with the cold blues and greys of central London. Lots of the movie has a hand-held feel, and the African-style soundtrack adds immeasuably to the atmosphere.
Thought-provoking, entertaining, sad, and absolutely riveting, this is one of the best films of 2005 and highly recommended.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE