In Reply to: The Constant Gardener posted by RGA on September 2, 2005 at 12:02:52:
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A wild ride to nowhere
DAVID WILDMANIt’s probably not a good thing when you leave a film in the throes of a schizophrenic disagreement with yourself, and the side that loved it had the weaker argument.
In the case of The Constant Gardener, the part of my brain that likes to gobble the candy of big, beautiful swooping camera angles, gorgeous scenery and any anatomical part of Rachel Weisz was swept away. At one point, this wistful inner wimp caused my hand to write breathlessly, “You almost want it to be more than a movie.â€
The other part is me is embarrassed to be sharing a brain with this wuss.
Because, you see, when it comes down to it, The Constant Gardener is just a freaking movie, with a plot and characters and all that stuff. A very normal, fairly predictable little flick. But, boy, does it look good. This film reminds me of catching some ravishing woman’s eye from a distance: Suddenly emboldened, I cut my way through the crowd to meet her, my heart pumping faster as I get closer. Then after three minutes of conversation I find out she’s brain-dead. Or a Republican. Or both.
- http://www.weeklydig.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.view/issueID/9d7b53a0-a2a3-4492-8831-93544f236fa4/articleID/76e7fdca-c7e2-4a33-a1a1-091bf9f1a3a7 (Open in New Window)
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Follow Ups
- "A wild ride to nowhere" -- Boston Weekly Dig - clarkjohnsen 09:13:14 09/03/05 (7)
- it begins with grief and proceeds with sadness toward horror...This is one of the year's best films..Roger Ebert NT - RGA 10:11:26 09/03/05 (6)
- Roger Ebert! I rest my case. nt - clarkjohnsen 11:41:36 09/03/05 (0)
- A masterwork of suspense, romance and political intrigue. USA today - RGA 10:12:56 09/03/05 (4)
- The movie is smart, serious, and adult about something that matters. Lisa Schwarzbaum - RGA 10:14:23 09/03/05 (3)
- film that grips us dramatically, intellectually and emotionally...Kenneth Turan - RGA 10:15:36 09/03/05 (2)
- the movie's human material is masterfully manipulated...Village Voice - RGA 10:21:15 09/03/05 (0)
- slick, fast-paced production with first-rate performances and an emotional punch you won't soon forget. New York Daily - RGA 10:18:38 09/03/05 (0)