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kypade
Kypade
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 10:53 pm Posts: 7908
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From a completely cinematic standpoint, l thought it was very solid. Far, FAR lesser than City of God, but better than most of the stuff this year. l was a little disappointed with how typical it seemed. For the majority of it, it just seemed to kinda play out. l mean, it was interesting and well made, sure...it just felt...l dunno. Too easy, maybe. And to be quite honest, l didn't buy the husbands sudden involvement. l understand finding out why your wife was killed/if she was cheating on you is quite motivational. But...l dunno, it just didnt strike me as true. l really enjoyed the ending, though, and it contains one of my favorite shots l've seen - little girl with little dog. (though l'm not sure exactly why - l just really, really loved that shot).
So yeah, overall, l liked it quite a bit. Probably right around A- or so.
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Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:10 am |
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A. G.
Draughty
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:23 am Posts: 13347
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The story was written by a 75 year old man. I think he can be forgiven for using an "old fashioned" disease like TB instead of Aids. 
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Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:16 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Archie Gates wrote: The story was written by a 75 year old man. I think he can be forgiven for using an "old fashioned" disease like TB instead of Aids. 
Every year 2,000,000 people die of Tuberculosis, which unlike AIDS isn't a "fashionable" disease, but also unlike AIDS is a curable disease...
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:02 am |
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Joker's Thug #3
Extraordinary
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 2:36 am Posts: 11130 Location: Waiting for the Dark Knight to kick my ass
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Ralph Fiennes was great, best he's been since Schindlers List. Typically, he exudes a snotty British attitude which I dislike, but he made his character a genuinely likable and sympathetic one. Near the end of the movie, I found myself caring about and cheering for a man that, in the beginning, I would not have given a second thought to. His transformation from a mild-mannered gentleman to a determined and ravaged globetrotter was believable and enthralling.
Additionally, the other actors were excellent, with Rachel Weisz giving a particularly endearing performance, as was the direction. Like City of God, The Constant Gardener had thrilling camerawork, which could excite even the most seemingly dull scenes. And no matter what the locale, be it African ghettos or posh European buildings, the cinematography never failed to be amazing. The only real problem I had with the movie was that, for most of the running time, there was no true villain. The protagonist's rage was palpable, yet he, and the audience, had no one person to direct it towards. Had there been one character which I could've pinned my hate on, I would've liked The Constant Gardener even more. As it is, though, I'll give it a B+
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Sat Sep 10, 2005 5:37 am |
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Johnny Dollar
The Lubitsch Touch
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:48 pm Posts: 11019
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A
I finally finished it, and I can't agree with the dissenters. Easily the best movie I've seen this year, without any close peers. But it is early.
I'm still shaking from the last 20 minutes or so. From the moment Pete Postlethwaite reenters the picture, this movie just flies like few others, leading up to that shattering conclusion. I was not expecting to be so damn moved, but I was. What a fucking ending. Perfectly edited.
Gripping, shocking, moving. Great performances. I'm officially in love with Fernando Meirelles (I finally saw City of God...there's another amazing film). He did a wonderful, intense job. This is one of those "invigorates my love of movies" movies. Thank Xenu. I needed one of those.
I think I'll be seeing this again before the week is through.
_________________ k
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Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:55 am |
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Maverikk
Award Winning Bastard
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:03 am Posts: 15310 Location: Slumming at KJ
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I saw The Constant Gardener today, and enjoyed it, but there were a few problems that kept it from being a great film for me. First, I felt the score was extremely weak, with nothing in it that punched up the thriller aspect of the film, and nothing to draw out the emotional renaissance where it was needed. This was one of those times where the lack of a great score hit me in the face like a shovel. It also was overstuffed with unnecessary shots throughout, and it probably could have been trimmed by 15 minutes.
Other than that, the film was pretty interesting, as it goes to show the lengths that people in power will go to when money is involved, and coverups and conspiracies involving "miracle medicines" is probably a bigger problem in the world that we would ever want to know about.
Ray Fiennes gives a strong performance, although I don't think he stands out as an Oscar contender, in my mind, and Rachel Weizs was also very good, and somebody that I think has a real chance at a Best Supporting Actress nomination, as her performance of the spirited Tessa, though not the biggest of roles, was the most memorable part of the film for me, and she was basically the center of the film, as her murder leads Justin on a dangerous investigation.
It is a shame that a bit of editing wasn't done, and that the score basically sucked the life out of some important scenes, or we'd be looking at a strong Best Picture contender, but as it is, it'll have to settle for being a good movie.
B
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Mon Oct 03, 2005 7:45 pm |
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MikeQ.
The French Dutch Boy
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:28 pm Posts: 10266 Location: Mordor, Middle Earth
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A
Best movie of the year thus far for me. In such a truly weak year where there are very few films I have found to be even relatively passionate about, I fully stand behind this film. Meirelles is a wonderful director, and everything in this film is top notch. From the acting, to the story, to the unique cinematography and subtle music, I had no choice but to love it. And I wasn't even into this film for the apparent "political thriller" part of it, but for the well executed, important story (and the relationship between Tessa and Justin) alone.
So, I'm going to have to agree with the wonderful David Poland, and give this my #1 slot of the year as he did. Unless the mixed Munich or something weird like Capote can unseat it, it will remain there.
PEACE, Mike.
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Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:07 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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Better than King Kong, Mike? Hmmm
I am seeing it later this month. Hopefully it is as good as many are saying.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:10 am |
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MikeQ.
The French Dutch Boy
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:28 pm Posts: 10266 Location: Mordor, Middle Earth
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Dr. Lecter wrote: Better than King Kong, Mike? Hmmm
I am seeing it later this month. Hopefully it is as good as many are saying.
Well, most people in this thread seem to be saying that they don't really like it, so don't get your hopes up based on my commentary alone, heh. I was attracted to the marriage; the relationship between Weisz and Fiennes (which connects to what I consider an awesome ending), and the story of how the AIDS problem in Africa will really always be a problem because the pharmaceutical companies are part of the problem. As well as everything that stemmed off from there.
Better than King Kong, but both this and King Kong are my enormous, late in the year highlights after such a craptacular year. I've never gone so long in a year with no A film, I think.
PEACE, Mike.
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Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:20 am |
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matatonio
Teh Mexican
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:56 pm Posts: 26066 Location: In good ol' Mexico
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its a good movie filled with outstanding performances and a great intelligent story, but it was very slow for me and i hated the camara work
B
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Fri Jan 13, 2006 5:14 am |
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zingy
College Boy Z
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:40 pm Posts: 36662
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'Twas a good movie, although all the praise from people here got me a little excited for the film and, in the end, somewhat disappointed. The performances were Oscar-worthy, but the film was just good; not stand-out great.
B-ish.
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Fri Jan 13, 2006 7:44 am |
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publicenemy#1
Extraordinary
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:25 am Posts: 19444 Location: San Diego
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Haunting.
Weisz and Finnes are both terrific here. I'd like to see it again soon but I'd say its one of the strongest films I've seen from last year.
A
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Fri Jan 13, 2006 10:31 pm |
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Shack
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:30 am Posts: 40592
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B
It's fine filmmaking, but it's never really "compelling." Fiennes, Weisz, and Roth in his small role were all fantastic as expected. But yeah, for a lot of the movie it never struck me as anything memorable or special.
_________________Shack’s top 50 tv shows - viewtopic.php?f=8&t=90227
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Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:13 am |
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MikeQ.
The French Dutch Boy
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:28 pm Posts: 10266 Location: Mordor, Middle Earth
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I watched this again, and it just solidified how much I love it. I find it so enthralling, so interesting, and so many perfectly pitched moments. The ending is the one thing I just can't get over. I continually picture it in my head.
Justin asks the pilot to drop him off where his wife was killed. He has a gun with him, and we're made to believe he commits suicide. Then it cuts to funeral readings inside of a church. His pal goes up to the stand and says he has a fitting verse to read that he knows Tessa and Justin would approve of. He starts reading aloud evidence which proves what has truly been happening in Africa and that Justin did NOT commit suicide, but was murdered. It cuts back to Justin, so in love with his wife Tessa, imagining her by his side while he sits on the rocks of the shore. And the hitmen that were hired are coming to kill him. And he stands, the camera focuses on his eyes, and he knows what is about to happen. He looks back to his wife.
The final shot is of geese on water, suddenly terrified, flying away up into the sky. At this point, we know what has happened. Justin has been killed. He's dead.
Fade to black.
Directed by Fernando Meirelles.
Gosh. I love this movie.
PEACE, Mike.
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Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:31 am |
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Dkmuto
Forum General
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 1:00 am Posts: 6502
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I watched it again this weekend, and I think my B+ still stands, though I'm leaning a bit towards an A-.
I think the direction is fantastic. Great tone. Some of the best from last year. And I do think the acting is pretty great. Fiennes is sympathetic, and Rachel Weisz's character is really likable (though I'm still on the Amy Adams bandwagon).
But I think there should have been more restraint in the mystery behind who killed Weisz's character. Fiennes goes searching and has questions that we kind of already know the answer to, so the second hour of the film turns out to be a bit underwhelming in terms of the tension the first half creates. I was even a little frustrated by the time Fiennes's character got to the village that gets attacked. Not really all that compelling when we already know pretty much who's behind it all.
But it's a strong film. And yeah, the cinematography is awesome.
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Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:03 pm |
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Ripper
2.71828183
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:16 pm Posts: 7827 Location: please delete me
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Dkmuto wrote: I watched it again this weekend, and I think my B+ still stands, though I'm leaning a bit towards an A-.
I think the direction is fantastic. Great tone. Some of the best from last year. And I do think the acting is pretty great. Fiennes is sympathetic, and Rachel Weisz's character is really likable (though I'm still on the Amy Adams bandwagon).
But I think there should have been more restraint in the mystery behind who killed Weisz's character. Fiennes goes searching and has questions that we kind of already know the answer to, so the second hour of the film turns out to be a bit underwhelming in terms of the tension the first half creates. I was even a little frustrated by the time Fiennes's character got to the village that gets attacked. Not really all that compelling when we already know pretty much who's behind it all.
But it's a strong film. And yeah, the cinematography is awesome.
Exactly, the major problem with the film is the audience knwos more then Justin, so his search lacks a bit of the emotional punch it is goign for, but I still liked the film.
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Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:21 am |
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A. G.
Draughty
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:23 am Posts: 13347
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C+ big disappointment. I couldn't stand Weisz's character. It might have worked anyway if we'd been shown some reason for their attachment other than sex, their relationshop needed several more scenes of depth, but it just wasn't there. Taking quicktime videos of each other is not much to base a relationship on.
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Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:22 pm |
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MikeQ.
The French Dutch Boy
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:28 pm Posts: 10266 Location: Mordor, Middle Earth
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Archie Gates wrote: C+ big disappointment. I couldn't stand Weisz's character. It might have worked anyway if we'd been shown some reason for their attachment other than sex, their relationshop needed several more scenes of depth, but it just wasn't there. Taking quicktime videos of each other is not much to base a relationship on.
I personally felt it was accurately portrayed. Their relationship was troubled in a way, in that Tessa kept a lot of secrets and wanted to do a lot of things that Justin felt were outlandish. It wasn't a magical relationship where they fall in love, and it is all love and happiness and trouble free. They tug back and forth from the little touches of clear love for eachother, and the arguments. I knew they loved eachother greatly, but they had obstacles, and part of these obstacles is what ends up getting her killed.
Anyways, just my opinion here. Not trying to make you change yours or anybody else, just expressing myself.
PEACE, Mike.
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Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:55 am |
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Ripper
2.71828183
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:16 pm Posts: 7827 Location: please delete me
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Archie Gates wrote: C+ big disappointment. I couldn't stand Weisz's character. It might have worked anyway if we'd been shown some reason for their attachment other than sex, their relationshop needed several more scenes of depth, but it just wasn't there. Taking quicktime videos of each other is not much to base a relationship on.
I understand disliking that aspect, because when you watch the film you realize Justin doesn;t really know Tessa till after she dies, and its not really till her death that he knows her well enough to love her. Before that it comes off as a very straong attraction between people are in many ways opposites.
The film had alot of potential but it didn't fit together as well as I would have liked.
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Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:22 am |
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Goldie
Forum General
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:38 pm Posts: 7286 Location: TOP*SECRET ******************** ******************** ******************** ********************
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Edit > nevermind ****************************************
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Sun Feb 12, 2006 9:35 pm |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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B
I found the film to be just slightly disappointing. To the most part, it lived up to my expectations, though. One thing I need to say first and foremost, is that I completely agree with Archie Gates on one point - I could not stand Rachel Weisz' character. That had nothing to do with her acting as she was pretty good (Not worthy of an Oscar win, though, at least not in my opinion. Then again, better her than, say, Frances McDormand). The first scene of her in the film when she stands up at the end of the lecture and starts her (typical) speech against Britain and capitalism and whatnot, I wanted to strangle her with my own bare hands. Moreover, I thought that he made some really dumb and not well thought-out decisions throughout the film. I had no sympathy for her character whatsoever and that also reflected on her relationship with Fiennes' character as I felt no chemistry between the two.
Fiennes himself delivered a very fine performance which was at least on par with Weisz' turn. I was also delighted to see Bill Nighy in his short appearance.
As far as the film itself goes, I thought that the first three quarters of it were pretty dull. However, the movie elevates to an entirely new level in its final quarter. The final 15-20 minutes in particular are brilliant. I really did not care about the film and its topic up until that end. That was when the film hit me really hard. Before that, while I was not bored, I was not particulary interested in what was happening either. There was no tension, suspense or even anything other that really held my interest. As I said, the final 20 minutes really changed that, though. The way the things played out, with Tessa's cousin reading that letter at the funeral was simply ingenius and the final minutes of Justin before his death and the way he accepts his upcoming murder are just excellent. I wish I found the rest of the movie so engaging.
On the technical level, the film was great. The cinematography...do I even need to say something? I was very delighted that I got to see it on the big screen as that is the only way you can really appreciate the amazing cinematography of the film. I admit that at times I was slightly annoyed by the always shaky camera, but I got used to it. There are so many unique and wonderful camera shots in the film that it almost seemed to me as if the makers just wanted to show off their skills by putting every nifty shot in this movie. The landscape shots are truly breathtaking, though.
Overall, it is a good movie, good, but not great. The acting is fine all-around, but as I said, I was just quite annoyed by Weisz' character and up until the end, the movie never completely grabbed my attention, had me attached to any characters or moved me in any way. The technical aspects and the film's final minutes is what truly elevated my opinion of the movie. Still, City of God certainly stands as the better Mereilles film.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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Sun Feb 12, 2006 9:48 pm |
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Goldie
Forum General
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:38 pm Posts: 7286 Location: TOP*SECRET ******************** ******************** ******************** ********************
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MikeQ. wrote: Archie Gates wrote: C+ big disappointment. I couldn't stand Weisz's character. It might have worked anyway if we'd been shown some reason for their attachment other than sex, their relationshop needed several more scenes of depth, but it just wasn't there. Taking quicktime videos of each other is not much to base a relationship on. I personally felt it was accurately portrayed. Their relationship was troubled in a way, in that Tessa kept a lot of secrets and wanted to do a lot of things that Justin felt were outlandish. It wasn't a magical relationship where they fall in love, and it is all love and happiness and trouble free. They tug back and forth from the little touches of clear love for eachother, and the arguments. I knew they loved eachother greatly, but they had obstacles, and part of these obstacles is what ends up getting her killed. Anyways, just my opinion here. Not trying to make you change yours or anybody else, just expressing myself. PEACE, Mike.
I have to watch it again as I haven't seen it in awhile but did they really tell alot of their relationship.
I think that she just got caught up on her "secert mission" while in Africa which didn't she say in letters that she just didn't want to involve him.
Anyway, I think that prior to Africa they probably did have a loving marraige.
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Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:15 pm |
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Shack
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:30 am Posts: 40592
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If I remember correctly, they weren't married until after they got to Africa. They just had a bunch of sex in America, then she asked him "Bring me with you" right before he left.
_________________Shack’s top 50 tv shows - viewtopic.php?f=8&t=90227
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Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:34 am |
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A. G.
Draughty
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:23 am Posts: 13347
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If they ever recut this with Lecter rushing onto the stage 5 minutes in and strangling her, I'll buy it.
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Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:00 am |
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Goldie
Forum General
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:38 pm Posts: 7286 Location: TOP*SECRET ******************** ******************** ******************** ********************
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Archie Gates wrote: If they ever recut this with Lecter rushing onto the stage 5 minutes in and strangling her, I'll buy it.
then the movie would be over after 5 minutes and would never have ever been released in the first place.
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Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:09 am |
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