The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
by Fernando Meirelles
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Daniele Harford, Danny Huston, Hubert Koundé, Rachel Weisz, Ralph FiennesDirector: Fernando Meirelles
Brand: NBC Universal
Producer: Donald Ranvaud
Producer: Gail Egan
Producer: Henning Molfenter
Producer: Jeff Abberley
Producer: Jim Shamoon
Writer: Jeffrey Caine
Writer: John le Carré
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; German (Original Language); Italian (Original Language); Swahili (Original Language); French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 129 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-01-10
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: Adam was God's first draft - He got it right with Eve.
Summary: 5 Stars
Like watching a group walk by a unique painting for the first time, The Constant Gardener will evoke different emotions and feelings from everyone that gazes upon it. Critics far and wide have praised this film as a deeply political thriller that speaks passionately about the corruption surrounding the pharmaceutical companies, while there have been others that have called this the best "revenge" story to be released in the past decade (apparently they missed Oldboy). Hearing these comments shouted at me from nearly every angle, I wasn't sure what to expect from this Oscar nominated film. I had to see it for myself. When I walked by this shattering portrait of humanity and humility, The Constant Gardener spoke to me about at theme that many have refused to acknowledge, I saw this as an immaculate love story. What transforms this tale from your typical romantic thriller is the way that director Fernando Meirelles has crafted his story. Taking it from the pages of acclaimed writer John le Carré, Meirelles uses apt cinematography, non-linear storytelling, and bold characters that sweep you passionately off your feet and never put you down. It is told convincingly and sublimely enough that emotion will grip you by the end and make you hold your loved one even closer.
I would like to quote a line form this film that I believe summarizes this film in its entirety. I use this line because it has remained in my mind long after the final scene of this film. The line that I refer to is said as Justin is passing, almost secretively and mean spirited, by his wife Tessa. It is a simple line that I believe was the first time I really saw this film for what it was. The line is, "It's like it's a marriage of convenience and all it produces are dead offspring." When you read this line, especially in the context it is used in the film, it gives off the sensation of anger and hatred in a bitter, disastrous relationship. Yet, when it is used again in this film it shows the passion in both of these characters, and really opens your eyes to the truth surrounding this amazing motion picture. I cannot stress this idea enough, but The Constant Gardener was on the surface a thriller/espionage film, but when looked upon closer, I saw this as one of the most amazing love stories told. That may be big of me to say, but I believe that director Fernando Meirelles has transformed the idea of your typical love story and demonstrated his cinematic power to create a genre that has been recycled through Hollywood time and again. Meirelles has rediscovered the romantic love story and provided a modern day twist, coupled with insecurities, passion, and of course, political lies.
Again, maybe I am speaking too generally about this film, but it was difficult to see this film as a "first-rate spy game" as the cover of the DVD boasts. The connection between Fiennes and Weisz is immaculate. Never before have I witnessed a finer pairing in Hollywood. The two ooze with passion for each other, while both securing themselves so well in their characters that you forget that they are actors. I believe that Fiennes is one of the greatest actors of our generation. He has this ability to play down characters, as in this film, and suddenly bring them out in such a force that you never saw it coming. Weisz has those eyes. By this I mean her eyes can lie to us and reveal so little. The beginning of this film is a perfect example. During the couple's first courtship Fiennes says something along the lines of, "...thank you for that gift", and she responds with some line, but her eyes say something different. It is hard to find actresses so dedicated to finding their character completely that it was refreshing to see that in Weisz's performance. I do believe she deserves the credit that she is finding.
The Constant Gardener worked because it was not an American story. I find myself getting sleepy over the tales about the evils of America. While I believe that we are at fault for several issues in this world, I do believe that seeing the British involved in an American-esque scandal only strengthened the overall tone of this film. Yet, something impressed me by this film, midway through this movie, I couldn't care less about the political issues. I could have cared less about the pharmaceutical statement that was attempting to be made. What I did care about, and why I think Meirelles did such a superb job of directing this film, were the characters. I found myself lost in the technical espionage lingo, and instead found myself glued to Justin and Tessa. Again, their chemistry, their passion, their love, their secrets are what made this film so thrilling. This wasn't a story about a cover-up (while that would be the film covering the surface of this movie), but instead was a story about love, marriage, and loyalty. I found myself more excited about learning about these two people than I did about the drug scandal. I think, at least I hope, that was Meirelles overall point of the story ... shock the audiences by throwing a love story into the mix. I didn't see it coming when I started this film, and that is why I believe I loved this film so much.
One cannot talk about this film without talking about the power behind Meirelles' camera. This could have been another simple Hollywood "who-dun-it", but instead Meirelles takes it several steps further and creates a portrait of corruption coupled with love. His quick shots, off-centered close-ups, and grainy character camera angles were sublime. What kept me glued to my seat were not these long, drawn out picturesque landscape scenes, but instead, flash shots coupled with beautiful imagery. I don't know whom he uses, but it was a similar feel to his other amazing film, City of God. In both of these, Meirelles uses modern cinematography, classic tales and plot devises, and constructs some of the best cinema to be released. He is a master of his trade, and The Constant Gardener proves it.
Overall, I was very impressed with this film. I was angry at the beginning, curious towards the middle, and sad by the end. Who else can say this about an espionage caper that does not involve huge explosions or meddling bad guys? Who else, outside of Fernando Meirelles, can capture this range of emotion in a film? Why is his work constantly breaking boundaries in cinema and reaching better expectations each time? He does this by keeping us, the viewers, on our toes. He does this by not conforming to typical Hollywood standards and keeping his own sense of originality and independence. He does this by keeping his camera modern, while his stories are not. He does this by employing amazing actors whom are at the top of their game. He does this by creating films like The Constant Gardener.
Grade: ***** out of *****
Summary of The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
Nominated for four Academy Awards, The Constant Gardener stars Ralph Fiennes and Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress Rachel Weisz. In this gripping suspense-thriller, a diplomat on the hunt for his wife's murderer uncovers a treacherous conspiracy that will destroy millions of innocent people - unless he can reveal its sinister roots. From the best-selling spy novel by John le Carre comes this edge-of-your-seat story of murder, deception and revenge that critics are calling " a hair-raising thriller with an unforgettable finale" (Karen Durbin, Elle). Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Pete Postlethwaite, Richard McCabe, Donald Sumpter, Juliet Aubrey, Hubert Kounde, Archie Panjabi, Gerard McSorley, Sidede Onyulo, Anneke Kim Sarnau Directed by: Fernando MeirellesThe Constant Gardener is the kind of thriller that hasn't been seen since the 1970s: Smart, politically complex, cinematically adventurous, genuinely thrilling and even heartbreaking. Mild diplomat Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes, The English Patient, Schindler's List) has a loose cannon of a wife named Tessa (Rachel Weisz, The Shape of Things, The Mummy), who's digging into the dirty doings of a major pharmaceutical company in Kenya. Her brutal murder forces Justin to continue her investigation down some deadly avenues. This simple plot description doesn't capture the rich texture and slippery, sinuous movement of The Constant Gardener, superbly directed by Fernando Meirelles (Oscar-nominated for his first film, City of God). Shifting back and forth in time, the movie skillfully captures the engaging romance between Justin and Tessa (Fiennes shows considerably more chemistry with Weisz than he had with Jennifer Lopez in Maid in Manhattan) and builds a vivid, gripping, and all-too-justified paranoia. And on top of it all, the movie is beautiful, due to both its incredible shots of the African landscape (which at times is haunting and unearthly) and the gorgeous cinematography. Featuring an all-around excellent cast, including Bill Nighy (Love Actually), Pete Postlethwaite (In the Name of the Father), and Danny Huston (Silver City). --Bret Fetzer
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