Saw this on TV late one night and was totally hooked on it. Sadly I had an early start the next day and had to go to bed half way through, so decided to buy it on DVD via e-bay. It's the most compelling and absorbing film I've seen since the French 'Ne le dis a personne' (Tell No-One) which I would also highly recommend. Both features a husband's search for the truth about his wife's disappearance or death, and both hold countless plot twists that genuinely shock you. Great acting by Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz and amazing cinematograpyh filmed almost entirely on location in Africa.
This,directed by Fernando Meirelles was released in 2005.It is an adaptation of the 2001 novel by John le Carré.The Constant Gardener is an Academy Award,BAFTA,and Golden Globe Award-winning film.The film has a different ending than that within the book. It tells the story of Justin Quayle,who finds his wife murdered and seeks to uncover the reasons behind her death. The story was filmed in Loiyangalani and the slums of Kibera,Kenya.The situation affected the cast and crew to the extent that they set up the Constant Gardener Trust in order to provide basic education around these villages. Rachel Weisz won the Best Supporting Actress at the 2005 Golden Globes for her performance in the film,as well as the 2005 Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.These awards are fully deserved and she stands out in the film even if she is at times,only seemingly a mouthpiece for the script's social concerns. Those concerns mainly focus on the plight of the African people who are dying of AIDS and TB while the world's major pharmaceutical companies continue to get richer.The film details a conspiracy in which one company is illegally testing unfinished drugs on poor African villagers with fatal and shocking results.Its an engrossing,disturbing and thought provoking film with excellent performances.For me,this just missed out on a 5/5 rating. Whilst this is stunning to watch at times,there are other moments where the footage seems almost amatuer and hand-held camera like.Is this good or bad?You decide. You would be crazy not to rent or buy this film.The cast are superb throughout and it is also beautifully shot,with a fantastically atmospheric soundtrack. This review was written by Chris on 03 April 2006.Read full review
Having visited Kenya many times, I had to buy this DVD, even if it was just to see the film locations. This film will be a classic and will follow, Out of Africa and White Mischief on films based in the former Bristish East Africa. The last scene where he sits on a rock waiting for his fate was filmed near a soda lake in Nakuru. I visited the rock overlooking the soda lake during Christmas 2006.
An entertaining film that highlights current environmental issues of drugs being used and tested in third world countries unwittingly. Topical, good content, excellent acting - a little predictable but well worth watching.
FAST MOVING ACTION PACKED MOVIE WITH A EXCELLENT CAST & SUPPORTING CAST. RALPH FIENNES RACHEL WEISZ. SUITABLE FOR 15 & OVER. EXCELLENT BUY, EXCELLENT FILM, EXCELLENT CAST.
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in DVDs & Blu-rays
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-rays