My mistake!
Added 1/3/2010
Somehow I thought this would be a mystery/spy movie. My mistake. But my biggest mistake was watching it all the way to the end.
The bad points of this movie have been discussed already: Cliché plot (evil big business in conspiracy with evil western government), unbelievable character motivations, total lack of chemistry between main characters, and that ShAkEy CaMeRaWoRk! Headache guaranteed!
I just want to emphasize one thing: The plot was so obvious that I kept trying to figure out what the twist ending was going to be. Other than inertia, that's all that kept me to the end. SPOILER: There is no twist ending!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I liked it but...
Added 12/1/2009
The constant gardener was a "good" movie... not a "great" movie. It was a bit long and dry... had a couple of decent internal twists that you don't see coming right away. But in the final analysis a bit of a yawner for me.
I like to buy my movies, I don't go see them in the theatre because I can own them for about the same money and enjoy them at home any time I wish. In this case... I wish I hadn't bought it.
p.s. If any of the actors read this, please don't take it personal I loved the entire cast and the acting was splendid!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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LeCarre's Novel Makes Substantial Film
Added 11/5/2009
A good measure of the pleasure in this film derives from its African focus both in sight and sound. Shots of the people in their homeland and recording of their musical heritage provides flavor to many the the scenes. Beyond that we are treated to fine acting by both leads (Fiennes and Weisz) as well as by the supporting cast. The action is taut as first the wife and then the husband search out the link among a number of health organizations engaged in research into the efficacy of a new drug to combat TB. Death, violence, racial intolerance and bureaucratic face-saving are all part of the dramatic stew. Happily, sufficient evidence for alternative interpretations and moral judgments on each lead characters behavior and outlook. Thus we have an interesting film rather than a sermon to the already converted.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Well done, heavy on the politics though...
Added 6/29/2009
I will admit that I wasn't sure if I really liked this movie until a couple of hours after watching it. It's pretty deep - "The Constant Gardener" is a play on words it took me a while to "get". It moves very slowly and is dark and humorless, for the most part.
But, I did end up liking it. Very sad, very timely and will make you think. The book never interested me, I may pick it up one day... who knows... but the story was told well and the actors did a really great job. It's pretty heavy politically, but also has a little bit of a love story - a man who gets to know his real wife, but only after she's dead.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Hated it!
Added 2/16/2009
From the bad cinematography to the under developed characters, and most of all to the stupid plot. I think this is one of the worst movies I've ever seen! I cannot even begin to understand the 4 and 5 star reviews. The whole "issue" isn't even truly a major issue about Africa to begin with. They are badgering the pharmaceutical companies and not the corrupt governments that are keeping the people of that continent in constant poverty? Give me a break!
1 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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My mistake!
Added 1/3/2010
Somehow I thought this would be a mystery/spy movie. My mistake. But my biggest mistake was watching it all the way to the end.
The bad points of this movie have been discussed already: Cliché plot (evil big business in conspiracy with evil western government), unbelievable character motivations, total lack of chemistry between main characters, and that ShAkEy CaMeRaWoRk! Headache guaranteed!
I just want to emphasize one thing: The plot was so obvious that I kept trying to figure out what the twist ending was going to be. Other than inertia, that's all that kept me to the end. SPOILER: There is no twist ending!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
I liked it but...
Added 12/1/2009
The constant gardener was a "good" movie... not a "great" movie. It was a bit long and dry... had a couple of decent internal twists that you don't see coming right away. But in the final analysis a bit of a yawner for me.
I like to buy my movies, I don't go see them in the theatre because I can own them for about the same money and enjoy them at home any time I wish. In this case... I wish I hadn't bought it.
p.s. If any of the actors read this, please don't take it personal I loved the entire cast and the acting was splendid!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
LeCarre's Novel Makes Substantial Film
Added 11/5/2009
A good measure of the pleasure in this film derives from its African focus both in sight and sound. Shots of the people in their homeland and recording of their musical heritage provides flavor to many the the scenes. Beyond that we are treated to fine acting by both leads (Fiennes and Weisz) as well as by the supporting cast. The action is taut as first the wife and then the husband search out the link among a number of health organizations engaged in research into the efficacy of a new drug to combat TB. Death, violence, racial intolerance and bureaucratic face-saving are all part of the dramatic stew. Happily, sufficient evidence for alternative interpretations and moral judgments on each lead characters behavior and outlook. Thus we have an interesting film rather than a sermon to the already converted.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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