Friday 23 August 2024

The Constant Gardener (2005 Fernando Meirelles)

An always timely thriller in which the bad guys are 1. Big Pharma 2. Research agencies 3. Governments. It was originally a John Le Carré novel, adapted by Jeffrey Caine. Though why Fiennes is resigned to his death is not for me. (I get off at Mornington Crescent.)

Produced by Mike Leigh's partner 'the thin man' Simon Channing Williams.

Edited with some aplomb by Claire Simpson, winning Bafta, and Oscar nomination (she also appears in a small role).

Good music from all over the world by Alberto Iglesias.

Meirelles brings the same kinetic energy to proceedings as he did Cidade de Deus in 2002 (admittedly I've only seen the first 30 minutes but that's enough to know. As to why I've seen only the first 30 minutes, that's another story, and not one as interesting as it might be.) His cinematographer César Charlone is a noble ally. They both have this great way of dropping you in to strange exotic places.

Great cast - Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes (his transition from soppy to hard nosed), Hubert Koundé, Danny Huston, Daniele Harford, Bill Nighy, Donald Sumpter, Archie Panjabi, Pete Postlethwaite, Richard McCabe.



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