The Constant Gardener, based on the novel by John le Carré, is both a political thriller and an intelligent love story set mostly in modern-day Africa. Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) is a mid-level British diplomat sent to Kenya as a trade attaché along with his beautiful new wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz). Shortly after their arrival in Africa, Tessa begins ruffling feathers as she and a native doctor, Arnold Bluhm (Hubert Koundé), begin investigating the activities of a large pharmaceutical company that is conducting medical trials of a new antituberculosis drug. After Tessa and Bluhm are ambushed and killed while journeying in northern Kenya, the grieving Justin begins investigating his wife’s death.

Director Fernando Meirelles, who made the superb City of God, about the famous housing project outside Rio de Janeiro, here uses Africa as a backdrop for his exploration of human greed and corruption. Through the eyes of Justin and Tessa we learn about the ruthlessness of large companies abusing the poorest and most desperate, and about the hardships and frustrations faced by doctors and aid workers, who must deal with poorly equipped, makeshift hospitals and ineffective drugs while fearing for their own lives as marauding gangs raid settlements, killing the inhabitants and kidnapping children. But all is not grim. Scenes of dire poverty are juxtaposed with visions of spectacular, rugged beauty. One feels that Africa could be a paradise if only humans were not present.

But The Constant Gardener is not only an indictment of corporate corruption; it is also a love story. Meirelles lets the story unfold in unhurried fashion, allowing us time to get to know and understand the characters. Using flashbacks to tell the story of Justin and Tessa, he weaves their love story throughout the political intrigue. Justin is the older of the two, a reserved and honest civil servant who finds love and companionship in the spirited young activist; they marry quickly so that Tessa can accompany him to Africa, where she believes she can do significant work.

But despite Tessa’s youth, the couple has a mature relationship. Though aware of his wife’s appeal within the tight expatriate community, Justin trusts her and gives her the freedom she needs. After her death, however, his investigation turns up evidence that she may have been unfaithful to him. Conflicted by the fear of confirming her infidelity and by his desire to do her memory justice, Justin nevertheless pursues his investigation against the wishes of his friends and colleagues, with tragic results.

Watch for Meirelles’ disclaimer in the closing credits, where he states that he is not aware of any actual pharmaceutical firm that has behaved in the ways depicted in the film. But this story is told with such authenticity that one believes that large pharmaceutical corporations do, in fact, act just this way.

The Constant Gardener is one of the more thoughtful films released so far this year. See it at the theater or rent it on video, but tell your friends about it. It deserves your support.

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