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The Constant Gardener
2005
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 9m
Adapted from the novel by John le Carre, this is a gripping romantic thriller that sweeps audiences along one man's emotional and global journey to uncover the truth behind a personal loss and a worldwide conspiracy. (Focus Features)
Directed by:
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The Constant Gardener
2005
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 9m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 56.95% from 4618 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
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Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
95th
False advertising, he actually takes many breaks from gardening
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 30 Oct 2012
80
81st
I guess I have a weakness for films where seemingly unstoppable and entrenched entities abuse their powers to do Bad Stuff, and where some characters unwittingly stumble across this whole affair and pay the price for it. Must have had something to do with that one time I went to McDonalds as a kid and ended up with food poisoning.
Rated 30 Oct 2012
Rated 10 Jul 2015
58
34th
A good story added with som beautiful cinematography, unfortunately it struggles to intrigue throughout and the main characters left something to be desired.
Rated 10 Jul 2015
Rated 17 Aug 2010
39
4th
Nauseating shaky handheld cameras and a frequent use of the fast cutting makes no sense in a movie which moves at such a slow pace and dull tone as this one. It baffles me that after all that time spent in this story it did not affect me in any way, despite the possible dark reality of it all.
Rated 17 Aug 2010
Rated 13 Mar 2011
35
35th
Overrated. There is little thrill to be found and it is slow and boring and confusing at times, not easy to follow up, and the shaky camera seemed pointless and annoying. Still I liked the way the African reality was presented and the acting was good.
Rated 13 Mar 2011
Rated 22 Dec 2006
95
99th
This was just a great all round film experience. Well written and well acted gives this an awesome start, then add in filming which manages to combine keeping you interested, ability to convey sense of scene before an actor is even in shot, and eye candy. On top of that it had a good sound track to marry to the camera nicely, and sprinkle on top the fact that the subject matter makes this feel more real world than your average film, and you get an unparralelled level of investment in characters.
Rated 22 Dec 2006
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
81st
Disjointed and too simple in its resolution, but otherwise very satisfying and gripping. Not a "spy movie" as advertised in some quarters, however. Fiennes is fantastic, Weisz is serviceable (perhaps not entirely worthy of her Oscar, but I can live with it), but the real star of the movie is Kenya which provides an amazing setting and a realism that Fernando Meirelles perfectly captured.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
63rd
A movie like no other - in that it takes a familiar story and tells in in a way that makes it fresh. The pair of lead actors shine. Marvelous, really.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 09 Oct 2007
45
31st
For whom it started to admire Fernando Meireles for City of God, this movie was a great disappointment. The pace is very slow and the development is very confused.
Rated 09 Oct 2007
Rated 07 Apr 2008
72
78th
PLEASE STOP GARDENING. YOUR GARDENING IS TEARING US APART.
Rated 07 Apr 2008
Rated 17 Jan 2012
80
60th
Just short of being great. The shaky cam feels unneeded however when they manage to hold that thing still the cinematography really shines. It has a painfully slow start but fortunately picks up a third of the way in. The ending however is really what makes the film. It is beautiful,poignant, and adds meaning to the slow parts.
Rated 17 Jan 2012
Rated 12 Jan 2009
99
92nd
i love it. On first sight - the typical Fiennes movie , but there's a spirit within and his name is Fernando Meirelles. The end is a real heathcliff ;)
Rated 12 Jan 2009
Rated 23 Jun 2013
68
65th
Beautifully filmed and acted but a bit muddled. Still, it is definitely worth seeing.
Rated 23 Jun 2013
Rated 29 May 2013
75
77th
Pretty good film with some great acting and beautiful scenery shots. Its biggest issue is the somewhat typical plot-line and the pacing sometimes is a little bit slow. Still, very well executed, a fascinating watch.
Rated 29 May 2013
Rated 17 Aug 2010
95
94th
Cruel film, cruel reality.
Rated 17 Aug 2010
Rated 04 Nov 2010
70
57th
"The Constant Gardener" is a solid, enjoyable conspiracy thriller, written neatly for the screen by Jeffrey Caine and filmed cinematically and with extraordinary skill and craftsmanship by Fernando Meirelles. When it works best, it's gripping and involving, but when it doesn't, it's sort of dull and conventional. However, the core of the tale is the love story, the element that keeps the film together. The acting is subtle but first-class, lead by excellent performances by Fiennes and Weisz.
Rated 04 Nov 2010
Rated 30 Nov 2006
88
70th
Great adaptation of the even better novel by John Le Carré. Important topic, nice cinematography and great performances - highly recommended.
Rated 30 Nov 2006
Rated 25 Dec 2006
97
97th
Gripping is so right. Masterfully done. Ralph Fiennes really pulls you into this nightmarish tale. Excellent.
Rated 25 Dec 2006
Rated 06 Jan 2007
85
78th
kothhbiro kenya.....perfect soundtrack.....misery damn it!
Rated 06 Jan 2007
Rated 09 Jan 2007
66
76th
somehow reminded me of "we feed the world" mixed with "spy game" and "city of god"
Rated 09 Jan 2007
Rated 21 Apr 2018
65
25th
Not bad. Low-grade Le Carré really. Nothing wrong with it, but not very memorable.
Rated 21 Apr 2018
Rated 26 Feb 2007
55
49th
Not bad.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
Rated 11 Mar 2007
95
95th
Love is about truth, giving and protecting.
Rated 11 Mar 2007
Rated 19 Mar 2007
79
77th
Interesting suspense-thriller.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
Rated 20 Mar 2007
60
27th
This is a disappointing drama thriller that was by the director of the phenomenal City of God. I don't really know how it ended up like this.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
Rated 23 Apr 2007
87
94th
Meirelles again doing some spectacular things. The cinematography is just pure brilliance, the loose camera and colors are wonderfull. LAST Message ? I hope everyone stops being so naieve and actually consider the truths Meirelles depicts.
Rated 23 Apr 2007
Rated 04 Jun 2007
70
53rd
well acted and great character transformation
Rated 04 Jun 2007
Rated 19 Jan 2018
45
14th
As a big fan of Tinker Tailor I was excited to watch another cinematic Le Carré adaptation. However while the characters are wonderfully written and superbly acted by all involved, the story is particularly grim and frequently quite depressing so this wasn't a film I could particularly enjoy or recommend to any great degree.
Rated 19 Jan 2018
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
87th
You can't go too wrong with Le Carre novel.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
28th
I hated some of the preciousl and pretentious camera-work on this, and Ralph leaves something to be desired, (and I mean that literally), but it's high-minded story, and transcendant performance from Rachel Weisz makes this quite watchable...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
13
10th
I found this film unbearingly boring and hard to follow when I saw it. Probably need to give it another chance.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
6th
You would think that when a director that makes a very good intense drama, decides to make a thriller, it would at least be intense or suspenseful or thrilling. Maybe he can't succeed as he did with his first movie, but at least it would be entertaining... Unfortunately that is not the case, as the director of the great movie "City of God" makes the most boring sleep inducing "thriller" I've seen all year.
"The Constant Gardener" is a murder mystery, a love story and a moral lesson all
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
89th
An intelligent thriller based on a John Le Carre novel, directed by Fernando Meirelles pitches Ralph Fiennes as a widower seeking the reason why his wife was murdered. Rachel Weisz, in her Oscar winning-role, delivers a fine performance as the feisty Tessa in flashbacks leading up to her death.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 30 Dec 2017
75
74th
BRILLIANT Fiennes! Also have never seen Rachel Weisz so good.. The story is kind of confusing, but it's really kind of therapeutic to follow Fiennes' character through the whole conspiracy. And yes, in the end it's a great love story :)
Rated 30 Dec 2017
Rated 06 May 2013
70
43rd
Seemed far too complicated for its own good, really. The plot was about things that were so shady that by the end of the film I wasn't any wiser...it had some good performances though, I think.
Rated 06 May 2013
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
79th
Even after reading the book this movie was difficult to follow. Nevertheless, it is a great story that should raise questions regarding the goings-on in Africa today.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
92nd
A jarring thriller that gets better each time you see it. Fiennes and Weisz are excellent as is the screenplay.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
58th
Very good move but had too many aesthetic shots that didn't add anything to the story.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
82nd
Really gripping movie, great acting, shot and edited in an inventive fashion. Suffers slightly in the beginning from not knowing who is who and not being sure you care yet
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 31 Aug 2018
60
47th
Not only a good film, but also a reasonable adaptation (some complexity was removed obviously). It fits together very well without unnecessary detail.
Rated 31 Aug 2018
Rated 22 Feb 2021
70
69th
What stands out is how this movie does double duty as both an unsettling conspiracy thriller and a moving romantic drama. The excellent acting and photography make the proceedings even more gripping.
Rated 22 Feb 2021
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
77th
Painful and interesting and ultimately extremely moving.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
87th
This was one of the BEST fimls I have ever seen. We went by accident to see it, but it was so worth it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
50th
Great cinematography, editing and direction, but the meandering script and the bland leads just don't inspire any emotion or thoughtfulness.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
75th
Excellent production all around.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
70th
Quite good political thriller. Danny Huston is particularly slimy.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
39
15th
ALL OVER THE FUCKING PLACE. This felt like work to watch. And you get to see naked pregnant Rachel Weisz. Whoopee.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
96
97th
Superb on every level, acting, script, direction, cinematography, editing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
30th
Starts rather interesting, later becomes full of cliche and preposterous.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 06 Apr 2012
70
59th
It can't be easy to adapt le Carrés words into a two hour film and make it work. But every time I was lost in the many characters and motives, I was carefully picked up again understanding at least the minimum. The scenery is absolutely stunning, colorful, yet sandy and brutal.
Rated 06 Apr 2012
Rated 18 Sep 2007
95
61st
Great movie, a must-see for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.
Rated 18 Sep 2007
Rated 16 Nov 2007
50
56th
slow and depressing, but interesting.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
Rated 26 Nov 2007
89
37th
Moving and wonderful.
Rated 26 Nov 2007
Rated 24 Feb 2015
66
33rd
Feels outdated in every way but the background story.
Rated 24 Feb 2015
Rated 06 Apr 2012
85
84th
06 Abril 2012 - Potser he cedit precisament a allò amb que cal anar més en compte en aquests temes: les emocions. M'ha commogut, trobo que merescudament, inclús amb el final heroic. M'agrada com està rodada, i m'ha atrapat força més que el que he vist darrerament. Bona música i interpretacions. Comentari ben insuls.
Rated 06 Apr 2012
Rated 28 Dec 2007
50
30th
Rachel Weisz is great, but the story is not.
Rated 28 Dec 2007
Rated 09 Feb 2008
56
24th
Not engaging in the slightest. The editing really stands out as annoying when the story doesn't suck you in. I suspect with City of God the story was compelling enough to really make the film stand out; here the story is nowhere near as good, and it just seems like a waste of time.
Rated 09 Feb 2008
Rated 09 Apr 2008
74
52nd
Once I got past my own expectations, I enjoyed it. Still, despite the great look, it left me feeling "blah."
Rated 09 Apr 2008
Rated 21 Apr 2008
65
68th
I wasn't horribly interested in this movie
Rated 21 Apr 2008
Rated 17 May 2008
67
42nd
Subpar thriller that's too heavy-handed to really make you care. Pretty good cinematography though.
Rated 17 May 2008
Rated 27 Jun 2014
69
77th
Disappointing. There wasn't much gardening in it at all.
Rated 27 Jun 2014
Rated 10 Mar 2012
78
77th
A pretty good film with some good performances from Weisz and Fiennes. It isn't the most thrilling movie ever or the most emotional, but it does bring up some valid thoughts about pharmaceutical companies. I rather liked the ending.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
Rated 08 Jul 2008
85
41st
great history. great cinematography great brazillian director :p
Rated 08 Jul 2008
Rated 26 Jul 2008
30
7th
Starts off well enough but the plot becomes more and more outlandish as the movie proceeds.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
Rated 15 Nov 2008
95
91st
this is a good movie that far too many people did not see.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
Rated 05 Dec 2008
8
82nd
It's no City of God but it is still really well made and everything looks beautiful. Very intelligent and the acting is top notch.
Rated 05 Dec 2008
Rated 15 Feb 2014
38
42nd
Meirelles is one of my favourite directors but I found this film had a few too many plot holes and was a bit too slow.
Rated 15 Feb 2014
Rated 09 Jan 2009
79
74th
John Le Carre can write. This might not be a perfect adaptation, but it's pretty damn good. Movie hits home in all the right places.
Rated 09 Jan 2009
Rated 09 Apr 2009
79
68th
before he became voldemort, ralph fiennes gave some commendable performances, watch dis for one of his best ones!
Rated 09 Apr 2009
Rated 23 May 2009
12
4th
suspense? Then why didn't I care about what happened to any of the characters at ant point during the entire movie? ichat? Are you serious? Well the script and directing seems very procastinated but I'll at least give props to the DP and editor
Rated 23 May 2009
Rated 11 Jun 2009
68
65th
Not the most exciting thriller, but a good story.
Rated 11 Jun 2009
Rated 26 Jun 2009
4
22nd
I so hate these bleeding heart films.
Rated 26 Jun 2009
Rated 22 Sep 2018
5
18th
I hate pharma companies as much as anyone, but I couldn't get emotionally invested in any of these flat characters
Rated 22 Sep 2018
Rated 26 Dec 2011
74
48th
The English Patient, but more convoluted.
Rated 26 Dec 2011
Rated 25 Sep 2009
80
66th
OK movie, but seriously, why does he let things happen in the end?
Rated 25 Sep 2009
Rated 25 Oct 2009
78
30th
cinematography. thats all
Rated 25 Oct 2009
Rated 17 Nov 2009
83
72nd
Great performances and an intriguing story. Meirelles is very good at making us feel for the characters, as he did with City of God. Beautifully shot as well.
Rated 17 Nov 2009
Rated 21 Dec 2009
84
60th
Suspenseful, with an important message too.
Rated 21 Dec 2009
Rated 06 Jul 2010
100
95th
Pure brilliance. Like Tessa said, "It's like it's a marriage of convenience and all it produces are dead offspring."
Rated 06 Jul 2010
Rated 15 Aug 2010
81
54th
Gripping thriller with some complexity to the ropmantic undertones and a pertinent political message. Excellent cinematography. Slightly disappointing predictable ending.
Rated 15 Aug 2010
Rated 22 Aug 2010
64
84th
#00s(m)#, reviews, story, Rachel W
Rated 22 Aug 2010
Rated 02 Jun 2013
84
88th
What I learned from this movie: British people are evil, Africa is beautiful, a movie can be as heavy handed as it wants as long as Rachel Weisz is naked.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
Rated 09 Dec 2022
77
61st
What a role for Ralph Feinnes! It was really refreshing to see a film involving a quiet and kind main character. The story felt passionate and true. I really enjoyed this.
Rated 09 Dec 2022
Rated 18 Dec 2010
70
57th
The most unfortunately named movie of 2005.
Rated 18 Dec 2010
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