1155. The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener
2005

Directed by Fernando Meirelles

I think the days of happy List movies are done, and what we are left with a collection of films ranging from bleak to downright miserable. Recently we've had a documentary on the Syrian uprising, a dark comedy about suicide bombers, and a drama about a Polish nun whose family was killed in the Holocaust. The Constant Gardener is pretty sad as well, although it seems almost cheerful in comparison to the other List offerings.

Justin Quayle is a British diplomat in Kenya. He tries to solve the murder of his wife Tessa, an Amnesty activist who was investigating a suspicious drug trial. Their love story is told in flashback as Justin realizes he didn't know his wife as well as he thought.

I had never heard of this book/movie before, and from its title I gauged that it was going to be some sort of Lady Chatterly's Lover type story. Instead, it was a pretty effective thriller, even if it was moving in a fairly predictable direction the entire time. I'm not the biggest Ralph Fiennes fan, but Rachel Weisz definitely earned her Oscar for this film.

It was upsetting to see the condition of the slums of Kibera. Apparently the cast and crew were so affected by what they saw that they set up a Constant Gardener Trust which has helped fund freshwater tanks, a school in Kibera, and the construction of a bridge to allow easier access to health clinics. I guess Voldemort had a change of heart.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Lupita Nyong'o worked as a production runner during filming in Kenya.

Kibera residents live on less than $.80 per day.

Based on a John Le Carre novel.

969. Cidade de Deus

Cidade de Deus
City of God
2002
Directed by Katia Lund and Fernando Meirelles

The Book calls this a horror movie of the first order, which is fairly accurate.  Surprisingly, I prefer my horror films to be less disturbing.  This is one of those movies that is really not enjoyable to watch, but I still feel slightly obligated to recommend it.

The film depicts the rise of organized crime in the Cidade de Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro.  Mostly, the film follows the extremely violent Li'l Ze and his childhood friend Bene who keeps him in check.  Li'l Ze runs a successful drug empire by ruthlessly wiping out his competition.  Rocket, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with the violence and dreams of getting out of the slums and becoming a successful photographer.

So like I said, this is an upsetting film.  I was so enjoying our streak of movies without rape.  I guess it was too good to be true.  And we have Irreversible coming up...but I digress.  The directors were certainly influenced Tarantino and Scorsese, although the subject matter was a lot more disturbing than anything either of those men have ever come up with.  Well, most of what they have come up with.

Still worth watching, especially if you have a stronger stomach than me (which is very likely).

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The film was not shut in the Cidade de Deus, as the area is too dangerous.

Leandro Firmino had no acting experience and only went to the audition to keep his friend company.  He was later cast as Ze Pequeno.