The Constant Gardener (film)

The Constant Gardener
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFernando Meirelles
Screenplay byJeffrey Caine
Based onThe Constant Gardener
by John le Carré
Produced bySimon Channing Williams
StarringRalph Fiennes
Rachel Weisz
Danny Huston
Bill Nighy
Pete Postlethwaite
CinematographyCésar Charlone
Edited byClaire Simpson
Music byAlberto Iglesias
Production
companies
UK Film Council
Potboiler Productions
Scion Films
Distributed byUniversal Pictures (United Kingdom, through United International Pictures)
Kinowelt Filmverleih (Germany)
Release dates
  • 2 September 2005 (2005-09-02) (United States)
  • 11 November 2005 (2005-11-11) (United Kingdom)
Running time
129 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
Germany
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25 million
Box office$82.4 million

The Constant Gardener is a 2005 drama thriller film directed by Fernando Meirelles. The screenplay by Jeffrey Caine is based on John le Carré's 2001 novel. The story follows Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), a British diplomat in Kenya, as he tries to solve the murder of his wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz), an Amnesty International activist, alternating with flashbacks telling the story of their relationship.

The film's title derives from Justin's gentle but diligent attention to his plants throughout the film. The film was a critical and box office success and earned four Oscar nominations, winning Best Supporting Actress for Weisz.