2008 Woodie Awards
'Constant Gardener': Thriller with a Mind
Ilana Novick
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: Arts
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The lives of diplomats haven't provided particularly good fodder for the movie world. Diplomatic immunity seems to have extended to protection for the movie industry attempting to explore what goes on behind the scenes in the lives and work of the men and women negotiating world conflicts. "The Constant Gardener," a new thriller based on a novel by John Le Carré and starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz, provides moviegoers with insight into the world of the British High Commission, including harsh truths about the all too cozy connections between governments, drug companies and disease.
Fiennes stars as Justin Quayle, a member of the British High Commission in Africa. He has been a diplomat for years, but is more at ease among his collection of plants and flowers than during negotiations. We first meet him in London, where he is giving a speech to journalists and diplomats. The speech is striking in its blandness. However, his is a quiet life just waiting to be shaken, and the shaking comes in the form of Tessa, an activist who subjects him to a brutal question-and-answer session.
The argument leads to falling in love, and eventually Tessa asks to go with Justin to Africa. At this point the movie shifts to diplomatic life in Africa and we begin to see a side of the aid industry rarely seen on "Save the Children" commercials. Here the scenery and cinematography become particularly impressive, with sweeping shots of Kenya's lush vegetation and rich wildlife in contrast to poverty and disease. Tessa starts fighting against companies that are taking advantage of the desperation of the people there.
With this type of character, a privileged woman working hard for those not as fortunate, the movie risks coming off as preachy, but Weisz wisely avoids playing Tessa as angelic. She's not above using her beauty to get what she wants, which results in promises she can't keep. In addition, Tessa is shown treating her husband like a child who is better off not knowing the secrets his family holds. Tessa's fierce determination to make the drug companies pay for what they've done results in her murder, which sends Justin head first into a world of scandal he's worked hard to politely ignore, in order to avenge her death. Fiennes' performance allows the viewer to watch how grief completely transforms this man. It is as if the line and the shape of his face change as he moves from meeting to meeting, country to country, to find out everything his wife worked so hard to keep from him. The urgency with which he works keeps the suspense alive. "The Constant Gardener," even as it deals with weighty political issues, is above all a thriller and the second half gives that side of the story a chance to shine.
Fiennes and Weisz are assisted by a terrific supporting cast, including Bill Nighy who appears as a British diplomat capable of arranging your death while he recommends what to order for lunch.
Fiennes stars as Justin Quayle, a member of the British High Commission in Africa. He has been a diplomat for years, but is more at ease among his collection of plants and flowers than during negotiations. We first meet him in London, where he is giving a speech to journalists and diplomats. The speech is striking in its blandness. However, his is a quiet life just waiting to be shaken, and the shaking comes in the form of Tessa, an activist who subjects him to a brutal question-and-answer session.
The argument leads to falling in love, and eventually Tessa asks to go with Justin to Africa. At this point the movie shifts to diplomatic life in Africa and we begin to see a side of the aid industry rarely seen on "Save the Children" commercials. Here the scenery and cinematography become particularly impressive, with sweeping shots of Kenya's lush vegetation and rich wildlife in contrast to poverty and disease. Tessa starts fighting against companies that are taking advantage of the desperation of the people there.
With this type of character, a privileged woman working hard for those not as fortunate, the movie risks coming off as preachy, but Weisz wisely avoids playing Tessa as angelic. She's not above using her beauty to get what she wants, which results in promises she can't keep. In addition, Tessa is shown treating her husband like a child who is better off not knowing the secrets his family holds. Tessa's fierce determination to make the drug companies pay for what they've done results in her murder, which sends Justin head first into a world of scandal he's worked hard to politely ignore, in order to avenge her death. Fiennes' performance allows the viewer to watch how grief completely transforms this man. It is as if the line and the shape of his face change as he moves from meeting to meeting, country to country, to find out everything his wife worked so hard to keep from him. The urgency with which he works keeps the suspense alive. "The Constant Gardener," even as it deals with weighty political issues, is above all a thriller and the second half gives that side of the story a chance to shine.
Fiennes and Weisz are assisted by a terrific supporting cast, including Bill Nighy who appears as a British diplomat capable of arranging your death while he recommends what to order for lunch.