The Constant Gardener
—Overview
—Photos
—About this Film pdf
A film can become a powerful tool of communication when its director presents a message with clarity and without compromise. In The Constant Gardener, director Fernando Meirelles does just that, presenting a film which refuses to compromise in its story telling. This is not a film which backs down from a fight, even if its protagonist, Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) seems to be the type of person who would do just that.
Quayle is a mid-level diplomat whose life is forever changed when he meets a stubborn woman named Tessa (Rachel Weisz). Before either of them truly knows one another, they have eloped and moved to Africa together on a diplomatic assignment. Tessa quickly makes Kenya her home and begins serving the people alongside of a local doctor, Arnold Bluhm (Hubert Kounde). When Bluhm begins to discuss with Tessa some of the shady dealings of an international pharmaceutical company, the tension of the film really ratchets.
Meirelles paints an amazing picture for his viewers in several different ways. First of all, his vivid rendering of life in Kenya, and the life of the land itself, is visionary. Just like in his last film, City of God, Meirelles provides an almost too realistic and personal feel. One feels that they are walking along the city streets with Tessa as she greets the children. And Meirelles captures the countryside and shows us nature’s response to the sometimes grizzly events of the story. Meirelles brings this story to us in an almost raw fashion, often too close for comfort, and often slightly hazy at the same time.
There is also a thriller element to The Constant Gardener. There are mysteries and conspiracies ripe throughout the film, and it takes a tragic event in Justin’s life to awaken him from his constant gardening and learn just what is worth fighting for. One way this mystery is given its weight is to show the viewer portions of the film out of chronological order. This is often a fascinating way to present a story as with Tarantino’s use of the device being an incredible addition to Pulp Fiction. Yet sometimes playing with the timeline of a story can disorient a viewer. Mixing up the chronology of The Constant Gardener, however, was a great way to allow the mystery to unravel in just the right time as we see Justin evolve from a meek diplomat to a passionate seeker of justice.
No mystery is strong if the characters themselves are not fully realized. And here we are endeared to characters at various phases of their lives and various phases of their grief or their love. Because of Meirelles’ up close and personal style, we know our characters about as well as they know one another, which makes each of their tales matter to the viewers. Rachel Weisz does a solid job of portraying the firebrand young white woman who won’t allow injustice to occur, even if it means risking all. She is also the driving force behind Justin coming out of his shell and realizing that the government he represents is covering up a grave injustice that is occurring against the sick and the dying of Kenya.
As I said, film can be a powerful tool of communication. And Meirelles takes what could be a simple murder mystery, and elevates it to a statement about injustice. AIDS is something which is devastating the entire continent of Africa, and yet the weak and the dying are easy victims to those who can only see their own profit margins. The controversy of the film centers on a very important truth about today’s world. Not only is Africa being ravaged by AIDS, but many around the world are actively brushing this tragedy under the carpet. In The Constant Gardener, Tessa uncovers an injustice most foul, a major company preying on the sick and the dying. Meirelles uses this mystery to give his viewers an uncompromising look at the terrible situations being faced by Kenyans and by all Africans. The question Justin faces is, what is he going to do about it? Justin sets off on a quest for justice, and becomes a different man through exposing a conspiracy against the weak. The question Meirelles asks his viewers is similar, now that you’ve seen what havoc AIDS is wreaking upon Africa, what are YOU going to do about it?
—Overview
—Photos
—About this Film pdf
—Photos
—About this Film pdf
A film can become a powerful tool of communication when its director presents a message with clarity and without compromise. In The Constant Gardener, director Fernando Meirelles does just that, presenting a film which refuses to compromise in its story telling. This is not a film which backs down from a fight, even if its protagonist, Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) seems to be the type of person who would do just that.Quayle is a mid-level diplomat whose life is forever changed when he meets a stubborn woman named Tessa (Rachel Weisz). Before either of them truly knows one another, they have eloped and moved to Africa together on a diplomatic assignment. Tessa quickly makes Kenya her home and begins serving the people alongside of a local doctor, Arnold Bluhm (Hubert Kounde). When Bluhm begins to discuss with Tessa some of the shady dealings of an international pharmaceutical company, the tension of the film really ratchets.
Meirelles paints an amazing picture for his viewers in several different ways. First of all, his vivid rendering of life in Kenya, and the life of the land itself, is visionary. Just like in his last film, City of God, Meirelles provides an almost too realistic and personal feel. One feels that they are walking along the city streets with Tessa as she greets the children. And Meirelles captures the countryside and shows us nature’s response to the sometimes grizzly events of the story. Meirelles brings this story to us in an almost raw fashion, often too close for comfort, and often slightly hazy at the same time.
There is also a thriller element to The Constant Gardener. There are mysteries and conspiracies ripe throughout the film, and it takes a tragic event in Justin’s life to awaken him from his constant gardening and learn just what is worth fighting for. One way this mystery is given its weight is to show the viewer portions of the film out of chronological order. This is often a fascinating way to present a story as with Tarantino’s use of the device being an incredible addition to Pulp Fiction. Yet sometimes playing with the timeline of a story can disorient a viewer. Mixing up the chronology of The Constant Gardener, however, was a great way to allow the mystery to unravel in just the right time as we see Justin evolve from a meek diplomat to a passionate seeker of justice.No mystery is strong if the characters themselves are not fully realized. And here we are endeared to characters at various phases of their lives and various phases of their grief or their love. Because of Meirelles’ up close and personal style, we know our characters about as well as they know one another, which makes each of their tales matter to the viewers. Rachel Weisz does a solid job of portraying the firebrand young white woman who won’t allow injustice to occur, even if it means risking all. She is also the driving force behind Justin coming out of his shell and realizing that the government he represents is covering up a grave injustice that is occurring against the sick and the dying of Kenya.
As I said, film can be a powerful tool of communication. And Meirelles takes what could be a simple murder mystery, and elevates it to a statement about injustice. AIDS is something which is devastating the entire continent of Africa, and yet the weak and the dying are easy victims to those who can only see their own profit margins. The controversy of the film centers on a very important truth about today’s world. Not only is Africa being ravaged by AIDS, but many around the world are actively brushing this tragedy under the carpet. In The Constant Gardener, Tessa uncovers an injustice most foul, a major company preying on the sick and the dying. Meirelles uses this mystery to give his viewers an uncompromising look at the terrible situations being faced by Kenyans and by all Africans. The question Justin faces is, what is he going to do about it? Justin sets off on a quest for justice, and becomes a different man through exposing a conspiracy against the weak. The question Meirelles asks his viewers is similar, now that you’ve seen what havoc AIDS is wreaking upon Africa, what are YOU going to do about it?—Overview
—Photos
—About this Film pdf
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