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The Constant Gardener

142.25.33.34

The Constant Gardener stars Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz and City of God director Fernando Meirelles.

I have not seen City of God so I'm sure some either like him or they do not but this political thriller is a crackler of romance of opposites. Tessa (Weisz) an activist of the firebrand nature wearing heart on sleeve attracts Justin(Fiennes) a middle of the ladder British Diplomat who's more interested in his pots and plants than in world affairs.

You can read about the plot outline. What works about this thriller as opposed to films like The Firm -- is that events and situations happen to these people and do not seem forced. The political aspect of the movie with big drugs testing deadly drugs on poor Africans doesn't come across preachy - and those trying to intervene and to get the truth is not handled in the usual Big chase action sequence Hollywood by the numbers average Joe fleeing from bullits and car chases and eveil thugs to put the drug company in place.

This film is a matter of fact reality piece and doesn;t shy away from reality. The Romance is handled deftly despite an opposites attract the leads make us believe in the match and the fondness they have for one another. And the deep love the grows like the plants Justin keeps. It is certainly a film to be seen and felt and one that resonates to second and more viewings. We want to know who Tessa was, what were her motivations?

Given the dense LeCarre novels it's a feat to be able to make an effective film from his material. It's the best film I've seen this year.

This is an art-house film -- if you're expecting big "pay-off" of action and suspense like Hollywood attempts then you will not find it here and it will bore you. This ios not an action film even though the trailers are making it out to be. It is a Romance and a political commentary and a story about personal human growth. Other critics are focussing on the drug commentary and the suspense -- it works on that level quite well but it is in my view the tertiary or backdrop to the individuals who are on a spectrum of how they involve themselves in the human plight of the third world. Indifference or apathy can become a journey of spirit and a will to do more than just going along with the system.

This is Ralph Fiennes' Best work in a leading role. And Weisz has not been better.


Grade: A

Grading scale from F- to A++

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Topic - The Constant Gardener - RGA 12:02:52 09/02/05 (22)
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