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	Movie Review - The Constant Gardener (2005)     (What this rating means)       Director: Fernando Meirelles Starring: Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz Rated: R (for language, some violent images and sexual content/nudity) Length: 129 minutes Genre: Drama/Romance Tagline: Love. At any cost. Studio: Universal Website: The Constant Gardener Release: August 31, 2005 PLOT In a remote area of Northern Kenya, fringe activist Tessa Quayle (Weisz) is found brutally murdered. Her doctor companion has fled the scene, so was this perhaps a crime of passion? Tessa's husband (Fiennes) decides to investigate the murder on his own. What he discovers is a far-reaching conspiracy that will endanger his own life. A technically sound, yet technically boring sermon of a movie ensues. JOHNNY'S TAKE The thing that aggravates me the most about this movie is the trailer's assertion that this is "the most anticipated thriller of the year." Really? Most anticipated by whom? Was there a poll taken? The main problem with the movie is it is not a thriller. It's a drama with elements of romance. There is a mystery to be unveiled, but the tension is too light and the pace is too slow for this to ever actually be thrilling. From the beginning we know that Tessa has been murdered. The questions left to be answered are why and by whom. As the movie plodded along I started wondering, "Do I care any more?" Once the unmasking of the conspiracy begins you most likely won't be surprised by any of the revelations. People who love the movie will probably call this subtle, I, on the other hand, felt it was a result of poor pacing. To each his own, I suppose. It's certainly no surprise that something bad happens to Tessa. After all, she's a radical activist who is always trying to stir stuff up. Unfortunately for her, she stirs up a little too much when she writes a report on Dypraxa - an experimental drug that was developed to care for Kenyans with tuberculosis. The problem is that while the drug can cure the disease, the formula isn't perfect yet and one of the possible side effects is death. When Fiennes tries to investigate the situation he's warned, "Stop now or get what your wife got." Feel free to take a stab at what he chooses to do. From a technical standpoint it's well-made and well-acted, with the beautiful Rachel Weisz as the stand out. I can certainly see her possibly getting an Oscar nomination. So no, this isn't a "bad" movie, and I completely understand that it will have its fans, but it just didn't do it for me. As you probably guessed, most of my disappointment comes from the fact that the trailer misled me into expecting a fast-paced thriller. If you get your thrills by watching Ralph Fiennes walk around slowly while not saying too much, then more power to you. As for me, I was expecting a little more emotion and expressiveness than a furrowed brow. I thought that a movie with illegal payoffs, corrupt government, murders, and unmarked graves would make for a compelling watch. Instead, it's just another sermon on how "all big corporations are evil" that doesn't bother to present its arguments in any sort of intriguing manner. This time pharmaceutical companies are the target. Moviegoers who love Oscar-type movies that work under the pretense of social commentary will most likely enjoy this one. But people who are looking for some legitimate tension and thrills will probably walk away joking that this should have been called The Constant Snoozer instead. ODDS & ENDS Based on the best-selling novel by John le Carré. Nicole Kidman was originally considered for the role of Tessa but director Fernando Meirelles thought she was too old. Tessa is 24 in the movie. Naomi Watts passed on the role of Tessa because of her involvement with King Kong. Rachel Weisz then reportedly beat out Eva Green and Kate Winslet for the role. Johnny hates the title of the movie. I understand that it's the same as the title of the book, but methinks they should've come up with something a little more interesting. Besides, Fiennes doesn't even garden all that much in the movie! His gardening certainly isn't constant. Ralph Fiennes was in Quiz Show with Mira Sorvino who was in Mimic with Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon. MAMA'S APPROVAL Mama wouldn't approve. There's plenty of profanity and sexual situations - including a sex scene between Weisz and Fiennes. And apparently Weisz isn't shy about nudity as she briefly appears topless and shows her round booty after taking a bath. Please keep the children at home for this one. TRAILER COMPARISON Warning - the trailer is misleading. I was really excited after watching the trailer, totally expecting a fast-paced thriller. Sadly, they gave me a slow-paced drama instead. THE GIST The Constant Gardener should please its demographic - fans of slow-paced "Oscar movies" that try overly hard to make social statements. Moviegoers looking for something a little more fast-paced (and less depressing) will want to look elsewhere.	RETURN TO HOME PAGE The Dark Knight Journey to the Center of the Earth Hancock Get Smart The Incredible Hulk The Strangers Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Young at Heart Iron Man Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed Weekend Results: 1. The Dark Knight($158,411,483) 2. Mamma Mia!($27,751,240) 3. Hancock($14,040,178) 4. Journey to the Center of the Earth($12,340,435) 5. Hellboy 2($10,117,815)

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