drgibson

Why can't they entertain? Why do they have to preach? The Constant Gardener could have been a fun cloak-and-dagger murder conspiracy. Instead it is a polemic that preaches sanctimoniously. There are no real villains, because no effort is made to create real personalities. Instead a concept, evil big business and its "handmaiden" big government is clumsily portrayed as bogeymen. In fact, even the positive characters are never developed. Plot twists are clumsily handled. Characters survive who would have effortlessly been murdered by the "bad guys." It strains credibility. It's a mediocre film (5) that could have been more honest if the filmmakers have substituted reality for sanctimony.

Avoid this film. It's a nadir for talented actors Depp, Bello, and the rest. Stephen King's thoughtful tale of pressure and madness has a downbeat but appropriate ending. The film has taken that and turned into a sadistic, unbelievable slasher-trash movie. At times the climax is so bad it delves into gory camp. It's easy to understand why this loser tanked at the box office. Also, the plot twists and turns which worked in the novella are delivered in a ham-handed manner that strains the credulity of the viewer. The only positive for this flop is John Tuturro's creepy John Shooter, but he's not in the film long enough to matter.

I am so disappointed in this version, and after waiting months to see it. Why do script writers assume they can improve on the author and change a characters' personality, motivations and even the plot of a great tale. I am no fan of the 1970s TV version but it's Gone With the Wind compared to this mess. There are no likable characters in this adaptation. It's a sometimes plotless version. To King purists, here are some ridiculous changes: Ben Mears is a Pulitzer Prize winner, rather than a moderately successful writer; Eva, the landlady, is an immigrant and was a confederate of Hubie Marsten; The Nortons run a cafe, no mention of Mr. Norton; Mark Patrie is a sullen teen, rather than the bright kid he is in King's book; Larry Crockett is having an affair with his daughter Ruthie; and, most ridiculous, Dr. James Cody is sleeping with Sandy McDougal!!! Also, the character of Father Callahan is pure evil, rather than the courageous but flawed, doomed man in the novel. Two minor bright spots are Donald Sutherland as Straker and Rutger Hauer as Barlow the vampire. But they don't have enough screen time to save this turkey. See the earlier David Soul version, or better yet, read the novel.