The Constant Gardener

2005 Drama

A man discovers a deadly secret when he tries to find out who killed the woman he loves in this suspense drama based on a novel by John Le Carré. Justin Quale (Ralph Fiennes) is a low-level British diplomat who has been given a new assignment in Kenya. Justin's wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), is an activist with a keen interest in issues of poverty and social justice; Justin urges her to avoid getting too deeply involved in the people living in Kenya, who are constantly dogged by poverty, but she shows little interest in obeying these instructions. This isn't the only area where Tessa has disregarded her husband, who suspects that she may have had an affair - for she started spending time with a handsome doctor once they settled in Kenya. One day, Tessa disappears, and is found brutally murdered; officials believe that she was murdered by the doctor after some sort of argument. However, before long Justin becomes convinced that there was a larger scheme that led to Tessa's death, and he begins digging into areas where he's not especially welcome, given his reputation as a man willing to let the wealthy and powerful do as they will. The Constant Gardener was the first English-speaking feature from Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles, who directed the international success City of God. more..

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Hubert Kounde,Danny Huston, Daniele Harford

Reviews

  • It's a love story only in passing. And yet the love story is what lingers in the mind and gives energy and meaning to everything that happens on-screen.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

  • A masterwork of suspense, romance and political intrigue.

    Claudia Puig - USA Today

    27 April 2013

  • A sweaty, vital masterpiece that's always one step ahead of its audience.

    Robert K. Elder - The Chicago Tribune

    27 April 2013

  • The movie is smart, serious, and adult about something that matters, but not at the expense of a kind of awful, sensual revelry as le Carré's capacious plot hurtles to its big finish.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • Director Fernando Meirelles and screenwriter Jeffrey Caine put a human face on John le Carre's novel of sex, lies and dirty politics in modern Africa. Prepare for a thrilling ride.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Outstanding Director of a Motion Picture

    ALMA Awards (2006)

  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

    Academy Awards (2006)

  • Best Edited Feature Film - Dramatic

    American Cinema Editors (2006)

     
  • Contemporary Film

    Art Directors Guild (2006)

     
  • Best Editing

    BAFTA Awards (2006)