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The Constant Gardener

(2005, Rated R, Thriller, Starring Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bill Nighy)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Government intrigue in Africa, for older teens+.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Government and corporate corruption, lies and arguments between friends.
  • Violence:

    Violent car crash at start, violence inflicted on villagers, a woman miscarries.
  • Sex:

    Romantic, pretty sex, some nudity (pregnant body).
  • Language:

    Used in anger or frustration.
  • Consumerism:

    Discussion of drugs products and patents.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Brief smoking, drinking; drugs given to patients.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Constant Gardener

Parents need to know that the movie begins with an abrupt, violent car crash scene resulting in two deaths. The film features complex betrayals (personal, corporate, and political) that will be difficult for younger viewers to follow. It also includes images of impoverished and ailing individuals in Kenyan villages and hospitals, violence (men on horseback chase after villagers), chase scenes, and brief sexuality (a soft-filtered, loving scene with the couple nestled in white sheets). Some language (uttered in anger), and much discussion of disloyalty, lies, and greed on the part of British government officials and international drug corporations.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about love and betrayal and how the movie begs questions of individual, institutional and political trust. How does the film use "Africa" as an idea as much as a location? How does the film indict bureaucracies and champion individual acts?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    A Brilliant yet disturbing film about how the world leaves africa behind.

    Ralph Phines charecter plays a man who is a mild mannered diplomat who dosen't realy stand up for what he belives in working passivly in his kenya home. His firy wife tess go's around working on a project he dosen't know about untill she is murdered. Now as he emtionialy pivots till the extreme fury of his wife, determined to find out who killed her, and more imporantly how he can he finnish what she started. The mystery leads to drug companys, aid orgaizatoins, pepole he knew and trusted, and the briitsh goverment itself. I think this excalent provoctive film is a stroy of a man redeeming him self, in the face of global connsiracy that has no method of redeption. The movies if very well made, the landscapes of africa are huanting, and ralph finnes performance is oscar worthy. This brillant disturbing film might not be for kids under the age of thirteen or fourteen becuse it contains sexulaty if only brifly, and disturbing violence, as well as thogh provking matterial. I think is a great film on truly many levels from a very talanted main actor, and director.

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