Constant Gardener, The (2005, GBR/GER) C-129m. ** D: Fernando Meirelles. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Hubert Koundé, Danny Huston, Daniele Harford, Bill Nighy, Pete Postlethwaite. Plodding adaptation of a John le Carré novel with Fiennes a self-conscious diplomat, whose wife gets killed in Africa. In flashbac's we get to know about their lives, their humanitary work and her criticism of the pharmaceutical industry. Did she fall prey to a conspiracy? Long, mostly filmed with an irritating hand-held camera, and just as undecided as the main character. The actors cannot be blamed (Weisz won Best Supporting Actress and the Golden Globe). From the director of the acclaimed CIUDADE DE DEUS (CITY OF GOD).


© Ron Altman