The Constant Gardener

2005

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Distributor: Focus Features

Key Element: Message

My Review:

Political thrillers aren’t really my thing most the time. But this one caught me. I always like stories about the fight to make sure people are treated like human beings.

The part of this story that really caught me was when Tessa asks Justin to give a ride to some friends of hers in Africa. When he responds that they cannot help everyone, she responds that those are some people they can help.

This argument made by Tessa played on my mind and was directly responsible for my decision to sponsor a child through WorldVision.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Big pharmaceuticals are right up there with the arms dealers.
• I only give the food to the women, Mr. Black. Women make the homes, men just make wars... and hooch. Adam was God's first draft - He got it right with Eve. Tell that to your readers, Mr. Black.
• I can't go home. Tessa was my home.
• When peaceful means are exhausted...
  - Exhausted? Mr.Quayle, they're not exactly exhausted, they're just lying in the way of the tanks!
• So who has got away with murder? Not, of course, the British government. They merely covered up, as one does, the offensive corpses. Though not literally. That was done by person or persons unknown. So who has committed murder? Not, of course, the highly respectable firm of KDH Pharmaceutical, which has enjoyed record profits this quarter, and has now licensed ZimbaMed of Harare, to continue testing Dypraxa in Africa. No, there are no murders in Africa. Only regrettable deaths. And from those deaths we derive the benefits of civilization, benefits we can afford so easily... because those lives were bought so cheaply.
• We can't involve ourselves in their lives, Tessa.
  - Why.
  Be reasonable. There are millions of people, they all need help. It's what the agencies are here for.
  - Yeah, but these are three people that WE can help.

Still: