Film Analysis of “the Constant Gardener”
The Constant Gardener is a 2005 drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and produced by Simon Channing-Williams . The screen script by Jeffrey Caine is based on the John le Carre novel by the same name. The movie is the narrative of Justin Quayle, a British diplomat in Kenya, who seeks to find the truth behind his wife's murder .
The movie, set in the 1990's, begins almost with the murder, however, with the use of flashbacks one is given a glimpse of the life the couple had before the ending. From their initial meeting in London, Justin Quayle is beguiled and amazed by the outspoken humanitarian Tessa who begins their relationship by being critical of a college lecture that he gives in the stead of another professor. Their conflict turns to passion and the lovely young activist persuades him to take her back with him to Africa.
Quayle, early in the movie, appears timid and non-confrontational and seems unwilling to engage in any sort of activity which will create tension. Tessa, on the other hand, is quite willing to stir things up and doesn't mind being confrontational. Quayle's main interest is gardening and early on in the movie one senses this is where he lets his emotions go. All of this changes when Tessa is murdered and her companion doctor is found missing. Initially, the doctor, is suspected of killing her, however , his body is found later with evidence of torture. Rumors swirl and many want Justin to be the grieving widow and accept that Tessa is gone and this was a simple case of murder by bandits or a jealous lover. Justin is unable to accept this and begins his own investigation which leads him on a similar journey as the one that lead Tessa to her death. It seems almost of little consequence that Justin too will lose his life as Tessa did in the same place. The movie tells the love story of two people who are caught up in the tangle of society and a value system which has rules for one cultural group which do not benefit another cultural
The movie, set in the 1990's, begins almost with the murder, however, with the use of flashbacks one is given a glimpse of the life the couple had before the ending. From their initial meeting in London, Justin Quayle is beguiled and amazed by the outspoken humanitarian Tessa who begins their relationship by being critical of a college lecture that he gives in the stead of another professor. Their conflict turns to passion and the lovely young activist persuades him to take her back with him to Africa.
Quayle, early in the movie, appears timid and non-confrontational and seems unwilling to engage in any sort of activity which will create tension. Tessa, on the other hand, is quite willing to stir things up and doesn't mind being confrontational. Quayle's main interest is gardening and early on in the movie one senses this is where he lets his emotions go. All of this changes when Tessa is murdered and her companion doctor is found missing. Initially, the doctor, is suspected of killing her, however , his body is found later with evidence of torture. Rumors swirl and many want Justin to be the grieving widow and accept that Tessa is gone and this was a simple case of murder by bandits or a jealous lover. Justin is unable to accept this and begins his own investigation which leads him on a similar journey as the one that lead Tessa to her death. It seems almost of little consequence that Justin too will lose his life as Tessa did in the same place. The movie tells the love story of two people who are caught up in the tangle of society and a value system which has rules for one cultural group which do not benefit another cultural