Summer Movies 2014: The Constant Gardener

For the last summer movie, in which plants play the starring role, we are watching The Constant Gardner (2004), based on the book by John Carré. The garden metaphor in this movie is the garden as sanctuary – where a garden represents a retreat and hideaway from the harshness, pain, and truth of the world.

Justin is sort of an “accidental” diplomat and lecturer who takes assignments almost reluctantly. In England, Justin meets the fiery activist Tessa at a lecture he is giving. Sparks fly as she challenges his views. She observes that Justin seems to dream about a world without weeds, but seems unwilling to pull them. Her view is there is gardening to be done, and weeds to be pulled. Despite differences, they seem to fall for one another. She convinces him to take her to Africa on his next diplomatic assignment, and they decide to marry. In Africa, she works on her research, and he pursues his gardening when not engaged in diplomatic activities. Through flashbacks we see his lush garden in Chelsea, and see the new garden he is creating in Africa, which seems to use all the wrong plants for the harsh African climate.

 

Early in the movie, Tessa and a young, African doctor with which she works die in a jeep accident during a research project. This brings into question the research they were doing, their relationship, the relationships of their circle, and their marriage. Justin is pulled in, reluctantly at first, to investigate his wife’s death. As he follows the evidence, he becomes more and more engaged, to find the truth that Tessa was pursuing, and answer the question as to whether theirs was a marriage of convenience, or love. He leaves the safety of his garden to uncover the truth.

There are actually very few garden scenes or references in this movie, but I did notice a few things as a fellow gardener. When Justin learns of his wife’s death, while in his potting shed, he crushes an aloe plant (known for healing) in his grief. In fiery hot Africa, Justin is tending their new garden, which looks like a withered version of an English cottage garden (he is clinging to what he knows, rather than embracing truth). Tessa is appalled that he is using pesticides in their garden (later we learn it is the particular brand of pesticide). The scenes in the green golf course under the hot sun stand in sharp contrast to the dry African landscapes and densely packed townships. The panoramic views of the hot and hostile African plains are breathtaking in their beauty. See the trailer (select Watch Trailer):

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387131/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1