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The Constant Gardener

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The Constant Gardener

R

Released Aug 31, 2005

2h 8m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

189 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Assigned to a new post, reserved British diplomat Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) relocates to Kenya with his lovely young wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), an activist for social justice. When Tessa is found murdered out in the wilderness, circumstances point to her friend, Dr. Arnold Bluhm (Hubert Koundé), but it is soon clear that he's not the killer. Grief-stricken and angry, Justin sets out to uncover the truth behind Tessa's murder -- and in the process, he unearths some disturbing revelations.

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Critics Consensus

The Constant Gardener is a smart, gripping, and suspenseful thriller with rich performances from the leads.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Fernando Meirelles, codirector of City of God, stresses old-fashioned storytelling and takes full advantage of his cast, including Danny Huston.

Nov 27, 2007

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

While le Carre's narrative returns an unequivocal guilty verdict on the drug companies, the jury on Meirelles's storytelling abilities remains hung.

Jan 20, 2007

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Serious, topical filmmaking of a very high order.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 1, 2006

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

The Constant Gardener finds and maintains a lovely balance between a post-cold war thriller and a poignant, elegiac story of love and mourning. It is a hell of a film, very recommended if you're in the mood for some real quality viewing.

May 23, 2022

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

The Constant Gardener disturbs, lingers in the mind, for its images of Africa, images of corporate thuggery, images of well-meaning people drowning in their own self-deception.

Mar 5, 2021

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Poised, intelligent thriller which also points an accusing finger at drug companies dumping obsolete product on third-world countries.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 28, 2020

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Aaron C

If it was "based on a true story" I would forgive it, just to slow for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

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J R

It's all about the oppressed Africa by the greedy people in what so called the civilized countries.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

Full Review

Brad CKA L

https://youtu.be/r7j5La0ZkOk?si=Sm1oNQgFu6Sb9zWr

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/24

Full Review

Tibor F

Half hour into the film, nothing happens. Extremely boring. Skipped without hesitation.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

Anthony W

This is a super, harrowing bit of cinema.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

Full Review

Alec C

Love can push us to take extremes in order to bring her peace, especially if it means going against the system! A diplomat suspects that his wife's suspicious death is tied to a drug-manufacturing company in Kenya and begins a risky investigation into her demise. Shot with emotional feeling and a sobering sense of doom, we're shown that if you must confront corruption, you should do it for the people you love!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/24

Full Review

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Fernando Meirelles

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Justin Quayle

Rachel Weisz

Tessa

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Synopsis

Assigned to a new post, reserved British diplomat Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) relocates to Kenya with his lovely young wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), an activist for social justice. When Tessa is found murdered out in the wilderness, circumstances point to her friend, Dr. Arnold Bluhm (Hubert Koundé), but it is soon clear that he's not the killer. Grief-stricken and angry, Justin sets out to uncover the truth behind Tessa's murder -- and in the process, he unearths some disturbing revelations.

Director: Fernando Meirelles
Producer: Simon Channing Williams
Screenwriter: Jeffrey Caine, John le Carré
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexual Content|Some Violent Images)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 31, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.6M
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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