Textual analysis- 'The Constant Gardener'

In the 2005 film ‘The Constant Gardener’, director Fernando Meirelles uses a variety of mediums to build tension and create confusion. As a mystery/spy thriller, ‘The Constant Gardener’ has many busy settings and jerky camera angles to confuse and distract the audience. The majority of the action takes place in a busy village in Kenya. The villagers are vulnerable and will do anything it takes to get a tuberculosis drug (dypraxa), this means they see the English as helpers and don’t see them as a threat to them or each other.

One way that Meirelles helps to create unease is through the use of camera angles. In the second scene, after the flashback of Tessa boarding and aircraft (the last time she is seen before she is murdered), big close up shots and oblique angles at which the camera is held create suspense and a sense of not quite knowing what’s going on. The focus is also slightly off which could be reflecting the confusion of Justin as to why his wife has just been murdered and what she has been up to. Another angle that creates a sense of unease is the point of view shot used when Justin is looking at Tessa’s dead body. I think that one of the best angles used in the film was when Justin visited a nursery to visit a woman that Tessa had been in contact with. The angles used in this made it look like someone was watching them as they were jolty and most of the time Justin was not shown as the main focus in the shots.

Additionally, Meirelles helps to create tension through the use of sound and music. Even before the film has properly started there is a sound of a car engine shutting off. This creates tension as the audience do not know where the sound is coming from, the scenario could be completely harmless and meaningless but to the other extreme it could be foreshadowing the main outcome of the film. When Justin and Tessa are on their way to Kenya during the flashback, the train that they are on is very loud and disorientated. This paired with the busy environment of the Kenyan village distracts the audience and confuses them even more. In a car chase fast paced music is used to create suspense and tension as the audience don’t know who it is that is chasing Justin, this is later revealed to be Tim Donohue. I think that the best use of music in the film is when Justin is being assaulted by Tessa’s potential murderers; happy music is being played in the background. The use of this music creates a disjointed atmosphere.

Furthermore, Meirelles uses Mise-en-scene to help create suspense, confusion and tension throughout the film. At the start of the flashback, when Tessa and Justin have only just met, there is a romantic setting which drags the audience away from the main plot. This helps to create suspense as the audience forget that the film is mainly about a murder and gives a false sense of security. The audience also know that Tessa will die, as shown by the opening scene. This creates tension as the audience do not know when this will happen. The flock of frightened birds at the end of the first scene is shown again when Justin is killed, showing that the birds are a symbol of death.

Lastly, Meirelles helps to create a sense of sympathy through the use of distance. Before the flashback starts, Justin is shown in an extreme close up when Sandy is delivering the harsh story of Tessa’s probable fate. This helps the audience to sympathise with Justin as they are able to see how he feels very clearly. Just before Justin is killed long shots are used to show just how alone he really is. As Justin is walking the camera zooms out, slowly revealing the vast, desolate environment he is in. Again this helps the audience to sympathise with Justin as they are able to see a visual representation of just how much he has lost.

In conclusion, Fernando Meirelles successfully creates a mystery/spy thriller with many conventions that help to create suspense, tension, confusion and anxiety throughout the film ‘The Constant Gardener’. In my opinion, I believe that Meirelles was extremely successful at creating confusion especially through the use of jolty and jerky camera angles at times of tension and suspense. 

How this will help me to create my thriller opening:

This textual analysis and film showed me what works well in mystery/spy thrillers. This will give me some ideas on what to include in my opening and, if I choose to create a mystery or spy thriller, what works well and what is commonly used.