The Constant Gardener [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

If you're looking for an exciting action flick you will have to look elsewhere. This is a really intelligent political thriller for a thinking audience. The plot centering around multinational pharmaceutical corporations using the native population of Africa as labrats and buying governments with job promises is as chilling as it is believable. Much time is given to the romance between Justin Quayle, the mildly mannered minor diplomatist played by Ralph Fiennes, and his much younger activist wife Tessa, played by Rachel Weisz in an Oscar winning performance. Much of the story is set in Kenya and events leading up to the murder of Tessa are told in numerous flashback scenes.Ralph Fiennes is perfectly cast as the dull but decent diplomatist, Rachel Weisz is superb as his impulsive and strong willed wife. The fact that the Kenya sequences were filmed on location in the actual locations (Kibera, etc.) adds greatly to the impact of the film. But don't expect glorious landscape and safari shots, the action here takes place in overcrowded slums and godforsaken open spaces. The cinematography is inspired, though not in the least flashy: much of the film is reminiscent of security camera footage (or even that of hidden surveillance cameras) with the faded colours, low light and often slightly blurry and/or shaky picture quality. While this may be disappointing for some viewers, for me it worked rather well for this particular film. Only some of the African crowd scenes are saturated with the vibrant colours of the dress of the local population.Overall an excellent film with a plot that is relevant to all of us in today's modern society. It's a rather long film with a run time of just over two hours, it's very slow throughout and it's the kind of film you have to pay close attention to if you want to understand what exactly is happening.The DVD is good and English subtitles are available for those who need them. Also included are the following (rather interesting) extra features: - Deleted Scenes - Extended Scene: Haruma - Play in Kibera - Embracing Africa: Filming in Kenya - John LeCarre: From page to the screen - Anatomy of a Thriller: behind the scenes of A Constant Gardener

This has been on my shelf for a long time. Not seen since the cinema release, and I had forgotten that I had felt nauseous because of the almost constant shaky, moving camera and odd angles, and occasional hysterical editing. I have to say the director Fernado Mireilles, for me went overboard on gimmicky photography for what purpose I don't know. A pity because this is a slow starter, but grows on the viewer as the plot thickens. Beautifully filmed on location, and it doesn't hold back, filming among the most appalling living coditions, but the mood is there, and just right. The acting and cast is great, except Rachel Weisz's character is very hard to like. Fiennes is fine (sorry), and what a support cast - Danny Huston, excellent as always, Donald Sumpter (one of our great un sung actors who always gives a good performence), Archie Punjabi, soon to move on to bigger things, Bill Nighy, slightly out of his comfort zone, the sexy Juliet Aubrey and Richard McCabe as "Ham". I honestly would have enjoyed this film so much more, if only the director wasn't on his mission to make a different kind of "art" film...but then, that is just my opinion, and can be joyfully ignored. Good plot, actors and price, so well worth a punt. (P.S. I am sure you are probably aware that this is not a typical Le Carre "Spy" thriller! No spies!)

The Constant Gardener is an interesting case of strong direction and performances managing to paper over plot holes and some serious lapses in credibility. It's hard to imagine the two central characters ever finding themselves together anywhere but in a writer's wishful thinking, and the investigation into drugs' companies faking trials in Africa relies perhaps too heavily on slips of the tongue or the odd incriminating document or conversation, yet between the edgy but genuinely energetic direction, the better performances and the subject matter, it's surprisingly powerful and involving and definitely one of the best John Le Carre adaptations. Perfectly cast, Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz's limitations work for the roles for once: his awkward, half-apologetic shtick and her over-zealous head girl act are as right here as they are irritating in too many other films. Not all the casting or performances are as good, however, with Bill Nighy showing again why he's better in light comedy than in straight drama. Danny Huston shows some awkward beginnings before overcoming them and fully inhabiting his pathetic role as a spineless lovestruck embassy official - the accent seems a little too affected at first before wearing in. Well worth investigating.The decent DVD extras package includes 4 deleted scenes, extended Haruma sequence, and featurettes Embracing Africa – Filming in Kenya, John Le Carre – From Page to the Screen and Anatomy of a Global Thriller, but while these have all been carried over to Universal's US Blu-ray release, the UK Blu-ray release is completely devoid of any extras (the German Blu-ray, however, includes all the extras and adds a 25-minute interview with the director, 18 minutes of cast interviews, additional behind the scenes footage, German and English trailers and TV spots)..

Bought following a recommendation from a friend and very glad I did. It gives an insight into just how determined people can be when they feel someone is distorting facts to support personal ambitions. Both leads offer great performances