X
- 2005
- R
- Focus Features
- 2 h 9 m
- 2005
- R
- Focus Features
- 2 h 9 m
Summary Adapted from the novel by John le Carre, this is a gripping romantic thriller that sweeps audiences along one man's emotional and global journey to uncover the truth behind a personal loss and a worldwide conspiracy. (Focus Features)
Directed By: Fernando Meirelles
Written By: Jeffrey Caine, John le Carré
- 2005
- R
- Focus Features
- 2 h 9 m
- 2005
- R
- Focus Features
- 2 h 9 m
The Constant Gardener
7.2
Where to Watch
Summary Adapted from the novel by John le Carre, this is a gripping romantic thriller that sweeps audiences along one man's emotional and global journey to uncover the truth behind a personal loss and a worldwide conspiracy. (Focus Features)
Directed By: Fernando Meirelles
Written By: Jeffrey Caine, John le Carré
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 39 Critic Reviews
82
95% Positive
37 Reviews
37 Reviews
5% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 39 Critic Reviews
82
95% Positive
37 Reviews
37 Reviews
5% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
A sweaty, vital masterpiece that's always one step ahead of its audience.
Essentially two movies for the price of one. But those halves add up to more than most movies right now.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 87 User Ratings
7.2
67% Positive
58 Ratings
58 Ratings
32% Mixed
28 Ratings
28 Ratings
1% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 87 User Ratings
7.2
67% Positive
58 Ratings
58 Ratings
32% Mixed
28 Ratings
28 Ratings
1% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Although it is based on a novel, the film leaves the idea of whether it was inspired by real events. Something to be thankful for is how it combines elements of romantic story with suspense and conspiracy. That without forgetting the work of the cast.
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"The Constant Gardener" is a slow burning political thriller that is a little confusing in the first half, but as more and more gets revealed in the second half, things begin to make a lot more sense and the puzzle pieces really begin to come together. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz are both great in this one, as expected. It is not hard to believe that Weisz won an Oscar for her performance here. The cinematography is also gorgeous as they were able to extract every bit of beauty they could out of their African location. As mentioned, this one is a tad slow, but it never really failed to have my attention. Throughout the film, I was completely hooked as I tried to follow every twist and turn before the big conclusion at the end. The great part about this one is that the second half really does explain much of what we see in the first half. It is a tad confusing, but the answers to any questions we have are ultimately provided and things begin to make a bit more sense. In addition, the film brings a lot of ethical concerns surrounding drug companies and their operations in Africa to the forefront, as you know the plot of this one is not too far-fetched. While the film was very thrilling, it also makes you feel a lot of empathy for those who are exploited in the name of medicine. Ultimately, "The Constant Gardener" is a good film with a strong plot, strong acting, and strong direction.
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Substantive and imaginatively filmed but is not an off-putting art movie; rather, it's the kind of solid but accessible filmmaking that prevailed in Hollywood's golden age.
Weisz has never been better: She's joyously expressive and alive, but there's gravity beneath that milkmaid complexion. She's grounded even when she's being flirtatious. And Fiennes has never been more moving.
Succeeds in capturing the book's essential themes and concerns, albeit in a hectic style that could not be more antithetical to that of the literary master of international intrigue.
Rather than trading le Carré's downbeat but agonizingly true-to-life ending for something more palatable, Meirelles has crafted a rare sort of thriller that refuses to resolve real-life issues for the sake of feel-good entertainment.
In the end, The Constant Gardener is hardly more than yet another study of white, upper-middle-class martyrdom rather than the hard look at third-world suffering it might've been.
The great political thriller of 2005. Rachel Wiesz is fantastic in her Oscar winning performance, she is excellent here. Great script and good editing. Well-done drama, one of the best of 2005. Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, The Constant Gardener is a must see.
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When I watched this movie I already had some expectations because I had read good reviews and I knew that it had a strong cast. The story also seemed to be very interesting: a British diplomat trying to discover his wife's murderers discovers a corrupt plot between the British government and the pharmaceutical industry, working in Kenya. Needless to say, I think, I was very pleased with the movie. The plot's main subject is strong, moving and human. Actor's work is very competent. The two central characters are affectionate, romantic and passionate, especially Tessa, who defends her ideas with great conviction. This helps a lot to make them dear to the audience, holding our attention until the end. How much of this is pure fiction is something I kept thinking about later. We know that the pharmaceutical industry generates millions, and this causes me (at least to me) some distrust. Has it ever happened, in recent past, something like what happens in this movie? Is it happening now and we don't know? Even if its not, its always a good reason to think on how some countries and regions are exploited. Going back to the film itself, I liked the way it visually explores African landscapes, with cinematography toasting us with scenes of a very beautiful light and color. The work of Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles (in my opinion, the best Brazilian film director today) is very competent and gives the film a soft aroma of documentary that tastes good, even though its no more than an illusion. Errors or problems? I didn't feel many, but I think it would improve if it had been kept for longer the mystery surrounding the conspiracy. The public soon realizes what's going on and the real reasons behind Tessa's death, and that takes away the interest and logic of her husband's demand.
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For what is supposed to be a suspenseful mysterious type movie, it was anything but captivating. The directing style and the script made the entire movie seem like a boring blur. Rachel Weiz did quite an excellent job when she was on screen, but nothing about this movie would make me ever want to see it again.
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Production Company
Focus Features,
UK Film Council,
Potboiler Productions,
Scion Films,
Blue Sky Films,
Epsilon Motion Pictures,
Studio Babelsberg,
StudioCanal
Release Date Aug 31, 2005
Duration 2 h 9 m
Rating R
Tagline The highly anticipated international thriller from John le Carré & Fernando Meirelles the Academy Award nominated director of City of God
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 10 Nominations
