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The Constant Gardener

Play trailer Poster for The Constant Gardener R 2005 2h 8m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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The Constant Gardener

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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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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Nov 27, 2007
Fernando Meirelles, codirector of City of God, stresses old-fashioned storytelling and takes full advantage of his cast, including Danny Huston. Go to Full Review Mark Kermode Observer (UK) Jan 20, 2007
While le Carre's narrative returns an unequivocal guilty verdict on the drug companies, the jury on Meirelles's storytelling abilities remains hung. Go to Full Review Empire Magazine Apr 1, 2006
4/5
Serious, topical filmmaking of a very high order. Go to Full Review Graeme Tuckett The Post NZ May 23, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Mar 5, 2021
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. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Jul 28, 2020
3/5
Poised, intelligent thriller which also points an accusing finger at drug companies dumping obsolete product on third-world countries. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Juris O @Juris100 Jul 22, 2026 What a dreary movie. I barely made it to the end. See more Ben W @Username618 Jun 30, 2026 But I find le Carre very dull. This- what is it with actresses doing bath scenes to get oscars????? Here, Rosamund Pike in A Private War, Kirsten Scott Thomas in English Patient... Not in my name, anyway. See more Drew M. @Stonehands211 Apr 1, 2026 Didn’t love the ending but it was a mesmerizing and pretty bleak watch which I like. The scene in the plane with the little girl that he fights to stay on the plane and loses was incredibly sad but loving when he finally realizes why his wife gave her life for these people. Like a lot of conservatives they don’t know why people empathize with others until it affects them directly. See more Pongo K @RT48921889 Mar 18, 2026 More a drama than a thriller. But it is ok. It shows how Africa is used for the west to make money. See more Judy G. @Beulah Feb 7, 2026 A heartbreaking story about British exploitation of Africans for pharmaceutical testing. See more Neil J @Leamis Dec 29, 2025 Lacks subtlety. Heavy-handed grim story with cartoonish villains and annoying herky jerky camera movements and editing. Looks like an extended music video. Tragedy throughout, and morose. Danny Huston is only bright spot. See more Read all reviews
The Constant Gardener

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Cast & Crew

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Fernando Meirelles

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Justin Quayle

Rachel Weisz

Tessa

Danny Huston

Sandy

Bill Nighy

Sir Bernard Pellegrin

Pete Postlethwaite

Marcus Lorbeer

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The Constant Gardener

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Movie Info

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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