Think along the lines of The Pelican Brief (1993), but with depth and stunning visuals both of Kenya and the Sudan and more specifically of Africans, beautiful in all their hope, anger, vulnerability, and fortitude.

Justin Quayle (Ralph) is a mild-mannered, British paper pusher who is going to Kenya to serve as a diplomat for AIDS services. Just prior to his move, he meets Tessa (Rachel) the opinionated human rights activist with a hidden agenda that is very different than what it initially appears. Shortly after meeting, the two marry and head to Africa, and it is there that their differences are clearly accentuated.

Justin floats on the surface of life, only digging deep when he is focusing on his garden, occasionally looking up to see Tessa in the distance with her confidante, Dr. Arnold Bluhm (Hubert). Tessa, on the other hand, knows the names of the children who live in the poverty-stricken villages and is curious about the people who are dying under mysterious circumstances. Tessa and Arnold discover that a pharmaceutical conglomerate along with British and American investors have developed a drug to combat an anticipated outbreak of tuberculosis and are covering up the negative trial results conducted on the villagers within Kenya and elsewhere in Africa. The companies do not want to go back to the drawing board, which would equate to them losing millions of dollars. Tessa steps on the toes of some very influential, dangerous people who are determined to keep her quiet and Justin is just there: unaware of what is really happening all around him.

Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient, The End of the Affair), as usual, gives an unassuming, incredible performance and Rachel Weisz (Constantine, The Mummy) probably offers her best acting to date. Though The Constant Gardener drags a bit at times and is a little preachy, the acting and the brilliant gamut of African scenery and people make it a worthwhile film. For it is in the faces of the villagers that we glimpse the real-life horrors touched on in this fictitious tale. And it is through Justin’s awakening that we experience faith and then despair that the little guy’s victory in the name of humanity may never be enough to quell the big machine that is always driven by money.