The Constant Gardener film review

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THE CONSTANT GARDENER

There's much to admire in this layered thriller. Adapted from John le Carré's novel, its densely woven plot involves murder, political intrigue and a passionate romance. In the hands of the Academy Award nominated Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, The Constant Gardener possesses the same visual flair he brought to City Of God, but for all its many virtues, to which can be added a compelling performance by Ralph Fiennes, it falls slightly short of being the substantial film it aspires to be.

It's undone by its valiant sense of ambition. In his Hollywood debut, Meirelles has boldy endeavoured to satisfy on various levels, but even at more than two hours Jeffrey Caine's adaptation of le Carré's convoluted novel is unable to encase every thread comprehensively leaving a sense of unfulfillment. The director's distinctive style is such a dominant feature, striking and exhilarating when combined with Cesar Charlone's brash photography and Claire Simpson's editing, it at times overshadows the story rather than clarifies it. In the end, the film ends up less than the sum of its parts.

The complex story centers on Justin Quayle (Fiennes), a mid-level, unassuming diplomat on assignment with the British High Commission in Kenya. When his impassioned and determined wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz) is found brutally murdered, the once mild mannered Justin inherits the tenacity of his wife as he investigates her death. His quest unearths a report she had written criticizing the collusion between the High Commission headed by Sir Bernard Pellegrin (Bill Nighy) and a pharmaceutical company who were making millions administering an untested drug to locals to treat the Tuberculosis outbreak.

Adding to the mystery is Tessa's flirtatious nature which had linked her with an African doctor (Hubert Koundé) and one of Justin's colleagues (Danny Huston). In the face of deadly threats, Justin continues in an effort to cleanse his wife's besmirched reputation and find her killers. Fiennes offers one of his strongest portrayals as the once meek Justin whose ordered life is thrown into tumult by his relationship with his tempestuous Tessa, with good support from Nighy and Huston.