“The Constant Gardener” is a political thriller that follows British diplomat Justin Quayle (played by Ralph Fiennes) and his activist wife Tessa (played by Rachel Weisz). The movie begins with Tessa’s brutal murder in Kenya, where the couple had been living and working.
As Justin tries to unravel the mystery behind Tessa’s death, he discovers that she had been investigating a pharmaceutical company’s illegal testing of a tuberculosis drug on impoverished Kenyans. With the help of a local doctor, Arnold Bluhm (played by Hubert Koundé), Justin uncovers a complex web of corruption and deceit involving the company and the British government.
As Justin delves deeper into the conspiracy, he becomes a target himself, and must race against time to expose the truth before he is silenced. Along the way, he discovers the extent to which Tessa was involved in the investigation, and the sacrifices she made to bring the truth to light.
The film is a powerful indictment of the pharmaceutical industry, government corruption, and exploitation of the poor. It is also a poignant love story between Justin and Tessa, and a meditation on grief and loss. The film’s intense and emotional storyline is complemented by excellent performances by the cast, especially Fiennes and Weisz.
Review:
“The Constant Gardener” received critical acclaim and was praised for its performances and direction. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 84% based on 204 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The critical consensus reads: “The Constant Gardener is a smart, gripping, and suspenseful thriller with rich performances from the leads.”
Awards:
“The Constant Gardener” was a critical and commercial success, and it received numerous awards and nominations. It won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Rachel Weisz, and was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Original Score. It also won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film, and was nominated for six other BAFTAs, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor for Ralph Fiennes.
Popularity:
“The Constant Gardener” was a box office success, grossing over $82 million worldwide. It has also remained popular over the years and is often considered one of the best films of the 2000s.
| Directed by | Fernando Meirelles |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Simon Channing Williams Gail Egan |
| Screenplay by | Jeffrey Caine |
| Based on | The Constant Gardener by John le Carré |
| Starring | Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Pete Postlethwaite, |
| Music by | Alberto Iglesias |
| Cinematography | César Charlone |
| Edited by | Claire Simpson |
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
| Release date | 31 August 2005 (United States) 11 November 2005 (United Kingdom) |
| Running time | 129 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom Germany |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Box office | $82.4 million |
