On our first Wednesday night "date night" since June, we thought we were heading to the San Francisco Symphony. Upon checking our series of tickets I discovered that September 28th is when "our season" begins. With our babysitter already lined up, we decided to head to the movies for the first time in months. Tim chose The Constant Gardener starring Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Hubert Kounde and Pete Postlethwaite.

I love going to a movie I know nothing about. Especially one that does not disappoint.

The Constant Gardener is both disturbing and thought provoking.

During our intense two hour journey throughout Northern Kenya, we were inspired to go to Africa and help the people.

Rachel Weisz as Tessa Quayle in "The Constant Gardener"

Ralph Fiennes as Justin Quayle, a tender British High Commission diplomat who moves to North Kenya, and his young, activist wife, Tessa, who mysteriously disappears, are both captivating and provocative in their roles. So is Hubert Kounde as Dr. Arnold Bluhm.

The complexity of their love life is poetic.

Their laughter is inspiring.

The entire film is poetry in motion.

Tragic poetry.

Witnessing the depth of his personal passion as he tends to his garden and her professional passion as she attempts to weed out the drug-making killers while tending to the people of the land offers a fascinating juxtaposition.

Director Fernando Meirelles' The Constant Gardener -- based on a novel by John Le Carre -- weaves together the past and the present of Justin Quayle's thrilling murder mystery and love story.

The music and the cinematography are as significant to the movie as the plot and its actors.

The original music was written by Alberto Iglesias and performed by acclaimed Kenyan percussionist and Real World recording artist Ayub Ogada.

Uruguan cinematographer, Cesar Charlone, majestically captures the physical grandeur of the continent and the emotional intensity of the people, both natives and foreigners.

The film is set primarily in Kenya, as well as in England, France and Germany.

Quayle says, "We can't involve ourselves in their lives, Tessa. "There are millions of people who all need our help."

But Tessa is determined to help at least one. Tragically, she pays the ultimate price for doing so.

When Justin uncovers the work his wife has been doing, Justin sets out to finish what Tessa started.

Ultimately, the dirty "drug dealers" are uncovered, but not before all the stars of the film are hunted down like wild animals.

The movie's tag line?

Appropriately, "Love. At all costs."

The Conspiracy is Global. The Corruption is Contagious

The narrator in the movie's trailer states: "Some very nasty things live under rocks, especially in foreign gardens."

Meirelles, directing Charlone's eye, masterfully weave in the beauty of the land and people of this third world country together with the retched filth brought on by corrupt corporations of the west.

The Constant Gardener was released in the U.S. on: August 31st, 2005.

It is Rated R and lasts 2 hours and 8 minutes.

It is worth the time and $10 to see this Focus Features foreign film on the big screen.

If you are interested in being given a window into the world of those suffering in Africa, see this movie. It is a small price to pay.

But once you've seen it, what do you do with the message that buzzes in your brain long after it is over?

For us, you plan a trip throughout Africa to see the land and meet the people yourself. You identify an organization to support that you can trust, who can help the people of Africa help themselves.

If you are interested in joining us for nearly three weeks at the end of June, please contact Andrea Guerra at andreag@gabbianolivingston.com.

In the Subject Heading, please type "Rugged Elegance Expedition to Africa - 2006."

A story, with details of our lodging in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and possibly Uganda, will follow, together with the villages we intend to visit in East Africa.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "tending to the earth" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

For other work by the actors, director and/or author of "The Constant Gardener" click on their name below:

Academy Award-nominated Actor Ralph Fiennes

Actor Rachel Weisz

Actor Danny Huston

Actor Bill Nighy

Actor Hubert Kounde

Actor Pete Postlethwaite

Academy Award-nominated Director Fernando Meirelles

Author John Le Carre