The Constant Gardener **** (2005, Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Hubert Koundé, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy) – Classic Movie Review 3169

Ralph Fiennes stars as widower Justin Quayle, who is determined to uncover a potentially explosive secret involving the murder of his activist wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz), in director Fernando Meirelles’s excellent 2005 movie of the novel by John le Carré. Tessa is found murdered in a remote area of Northern Kenya and her doctor companion (Hubert Koundé) appears to have fled the scene, so the evidence points to a crime of passion.

Members of the British High Commission in Nairobi expect their mild-mannered, unambitious colleague Quayle will leave the murder for them to investigate. But instead he uses his access to diplomatic secrets to try to uncover the truth, risking his life as he exposes a conspiracy.

Helped by a well-crafted screenplay by Jeffrey Caine, Meirelles keeps this supremely intelligent and engrossing thriller taut and tense. It is an ideal role for Fiennes, who is first rate. Weisz is good enough to win an Oscar and Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actress. Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Donald Sumpter, Archie Panjabi and Gerard McSorley are also in the cast.

It won a single Bafta for Best Editing (Claire Simpson), but the Evening Standard British Film Awards 2006 awarded it Best Film and Best Actor, and it was the darling of the London Critics Circle Film Awards 2006 with four wins, including British Film of the Year, British Actor of the Year, British Actress of the Year and British Producer of the Year (Simon Channing Williams).

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 3169

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