Corruption and Justice in The Constant Gardener

I watched The Constant Gardener in the FAC on Thursday night. It is the story of an English diplomat to Kenya whose wife is murdered under suspicious circumstances. As Justin Quayle (the diplomat) investigates the murder he unveils a plot by a major pharmaceutical to test a new tuberculosis drug on Africans; he discovers that Africans have died due to the effects of this unsafe drug. Justin Quayle dies in the end, but he exposes the corrupt pharmaceutical companies at fault.
This film has much to say about life in the empire and the kingdom of God. The main plot of the story deals with the corruption of men. Justin Quayle not only exposes unethical pharmaceutical executives, but corrupt leaders in Africa and politicians in wealthy nations. This motion picture is showing the essence and true power of the empire. We as western thinkers are not at all shocked by the corruption of many African leaders; however there is a great sense of surprise and disappointment when our western system of government is corrupt. This movie is showing that contrary to our popular view of the empire, western governments are just as corrupt as many “lesser” forms of government. It gets worse. Not only are western governments corrupt, but western capitalist corporations will do anything to make a bigger profit. This may even include lying, bribery, and unethical treatment of people. Life in the empire has corruption and dishonesty…everywhere. This film also deals with one major aspect of the kingdom of God. Justice. Justin Quayle works the entire movie to find who is responsible for the murder of his wife; and even though he pays for it with his life the men responsible are exposed. Although these men are not brought to justice in the movie, we are left to believe that there will be consequences for their actions. Injustice is one of the most frustrating things to watch and The Constant Gardener does a good job of reminding me that in the Kingdom of God there will always be Godly justice.