MovieChat Forums > The Constant Gardener (2005) Discussion > Terrible movie

Terrible movie

posted 17 years ago by AxleF
55 replies | jump to latest

I apologize to the fanatics out there, but I really hated the movie. The story, the characterizations, the dialogue, and the directing were too awkward, too slow and tedious and just annoying. The plot built up a sense of mystery and suspense, but concluded in a predictable manner, which was a letdown. The dialogue was frequently too drawnout and excessive, and put me into a half stupor (Ralph Fiennes' gentle voice didn't help at all). The frequent camera movements and bright atmosphere left a throbbing sensation in my head.
Plus Rachel Weisz's character was despicable, and I could not summon up any amount of sympathy or compassion for her. She sacrificed her own marriage, her own child and dignity for her unpractical and exaggerated ideals.
I just don't see why some thought this was a brilliant movie. It just seemed like a movie that tried too hard to make some sort of political and social point. And I usually pride myself for enjoying movies that are not mainstream.

[–] baboon000 14 years ago

"Rachel Weisz's character was despicable, and I could not summon up any amount of sympathy or compassion for her. She sacrificed her own marriage, her own child and dignity for her unpractical and exaggerated ideals."

despicable - only if she has actually committed the unfaithful acts behind justin's back, then there, i'd probably use this derogatory term to describe her character, otherwise, i don't see there's anything negative that this "despicable" should be used to describe her character. c'mon, she even confessed to her brother that she felt awful abt making a promise to the 5-star creep which she didn't intend to commit and couldn't imagine what justin would feel or even be able to forgive her for doing that (for luring sandy into believing that she'd sleep with him).

[–] atanas-tumbev 13 years ago

I absolutely agree with you! This movie is so overoveroveroveroverrated! Totally disappointed! Everything go so slowly I turn it off because I would fall asleep at the half of the movie. The only thing I liked was (not all the time) cinematography...

[–] Errington_92 13 years ago

I think The Constant Gardener is getting negative criticism when I don't feel its needed. I will agree with whose who find Justin and Tessa's relationship unrealistic in the way in which it progressed so quickly when they barely knew each other. But the film has its positives.

It is well acted all round and gives us thought upon the dilemma taking place in Africa. I felt the non - linear structure worked well for the film and the use of cinematography, its mixture of hand held and focused shots seemed to indicate when we should place ourselves in the positions of the characters. Particually when Justin was day dreaming of Tessa.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] jingizu_z 12 years ago

I disagree that Justin and Tessa's relationship was unrealistic. It moved quite fast sure, but we don't know how fast either as only key moments are shown. Besides, I know other people who did, and I myself moved really fast and I am still happily married after seven years. So no, it wasn't unrealistic.

[–] thesnowleopard 13 years ago

I agree with the OP. I like Rachel Weisz, but her character took some ridiculous risks during her pregnancy, to serve her own Earth Mother ego, and her baby suffered as a result. As for her relationship with her husband, if you want to be free to do whatever you want without taking into account your spouse's feelings and dreams (or even safety), that's great. But don't get married.

The fact that corporations regularly do things in Africa that they shouldn't be doing, that are even criminal and immoral, does not make this movie good or its protagonists good people. I found the casual racism in the film--where the Africans themselves don't get to be anything besides noble victim helpers of the protagonists or evil lackeys of the corporations--especially irritating. Here the filmmaker is going on and on about how corporations abuse the poor widdle Africans, yet can't be bothered to portray them as adult human beings with their own minds, either.

I lived in Africa for two years, in a small village on the savannah. It wasn't in the same part as in this movie, but people in the West have a tendency to make the same blanket assumptions about the entire continent, anyway. Did some ugly stuff happen there? Oh, yeah. The casual defective-product dumping alone was mindboggling. But ugly stuff happens in my own backyard, too. I guess it's not as exotic when it happens at home. And when it happens at home, you can't pretend that it's all black-and-white (pretty literally in this movie), or as easily solved as a case of killing or prosecuting the right evil people.

Innsmouth Free Press http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com

[–] BeanieBabyProfits 10 years ago

I posted this same response to the OP but I'd like to ask the same of you if you don't mind. Perhaps not all that I include is relevant to your post but for the sake of retyping I just copied and pasted. Your opinion seems more based on your experience and maybe less about "movie" preference but I think this would still be interesting if you'd like to respond.

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Disclaimer: I have the utmost respect for your opinion and appreciate you sharing.

It's always interesting to me how different some our opinions can be. No disrespect at all, I have as much respect for your opinion and right to share it as someone that agrees with me.

This is hands down in my top five movies of all time. I love the cinematography, music, dialogue, conspiratorial themes, the possible legitimacy of such a subject and outcome. I think this movie is visually mesmerizing with the African landscape and Kenyan people.

While this particular example may not be entirely factual to true events it is definitely something that has happened and will happen again to some extent in reality. The corporate drug manufacturers with billions of dollars at stake, the humanitarian activists opposing them, the turning point in which an activist's investigation reveals what they were looking for but at the same time puts them in inevitable fatal danger.

For me, this is one of those movies that I watch and think there cannot be someone out there that dislikes this film. It is fascinating to me that for every movie there is someone with an absolute fondness for it but also an opposing viewer with an equal aversion to it.

Again, no disrespect intended, this is more just an astounding observation that we are all so different and that what seems flawless to one is reprehensible to another.

Simply out of curiosity, indulge me if you would, what is one of your favorite movies? Please don't feel the need to explain yourself for why, I don't intend to openly disagree or ridicule. It would be interesting to know, since we are so far apart on our opinions of this movie, if we are close on another.

I absolutely appreciate the response if you choose to answer.

Thank you.
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The end.

[–] Goodfella1193 13 years ago

Couldnt agree more, the cinematography is horrible, the awkward an extreme close-up shooting is unacceptable. Its one of those movies which gets a lot of attention because of the message, ridicoulsy overated

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] JoeBear15 12 years ago

While I think this movie has a powerful message and is complimented by a superb performance from Ralph Fiennes, it must be said that it is incredibly boring to watch.

Another negative for me was the appalling accent adopted by the late Pete Postlethwaite who also has one of the most difficult names to spell. I never know if it is Pete or Peat. Had to look it up!

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] MaxMix7 11 years ago

I agree a little with OP. The movie was long and boring, well at least the first hour was. Then it starts to build up in the last hour but doesn't deliver what one would expect from this type of genre. Amazingly i didn't fall asleep to this.. However the acting was great and the filming locations were very true to the story. Although this is a mesmerizing film, i decided to give it 5/10. Only because the ending was at least somewhat worth waiting for.

PS: I almost turned it off in the first 30 minutes, but i am glad i watched it through.