Rent Master Gardener (2022)

Master Gardener review by Mark McPherson - Cinema Paradiso

Master Gardener plays like a typical Paul Schrader film in his twilight years. Consider his past few films. First Reformed was about a priest trying to come to terms with his past and faith while quietly documenting his thoughts at night in his bedroom. The Card Counter was about a card-playing pro trying to come to terms with his past and violent nature while quietly documenting his thoughts at night in his bedroom. Now, we come to Master Gardener, the tale of a gardener trying to come to terms with his past, racism, and drugs while quietly documenting his thoughts at night in his bedroom. Compared to the two previous films, Master Gardner is easily the weakest of the three. That said, it still has some of that old Schrader magic that works so well.

The titular gardener is Narvel Roth (Joel Edgerton), a horticulturist who has buried himself in his work. He takes his work at Gracewood Gardens very seriously, tending to the grounds of the wealthy dowager Mrs. Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver). He’s hoping his work and journalism will allow him to start over and place his life of being a neo-Nazi behind him. He works well enough that Mrs. Haverhill, who relies on Roth for sexual favors, is convinced that he’s ready to reform someone else’s life. So, into the garden, Haverhill’s grandniece, Maya (Quintessa Swindell), walks. She’s seeking to reform her life and takes advantage of a job offer. Narvel welcomes her with gentle arms into his community of gardeners, and she seems to be doing well. Only once her past comes back to bite her that Narvel becomes more involved with her, going beyond mentor and protege.

As with Schrader’s past protagonists, Narvel is a complex character with a fascinating insight into the darker corners of humanity. Slowly, glimpses of his past are revealed through his Nazi tattoos and memories of violence. He routinely meets with witness protection that keeps him out of harm’s way for turning on his white supremacist associates. It feels as though Narvel has to keep himself reserved and not reveal his past to continue to exist. Edgerton’s performance is incredible for playing a subdued man struggling to hold back on his darker side. Adhering to the Schrader playbook, he nails this role with gusto.

He also adheres to the Schrader playbook to find a love interest in the newest woman in his life. It shouldn’t come as much of a shock that Maya soon takes on a sexual relationship with Narvel, despite knowing his past. Comparatively, their relationship seems more out of convenience and rebellion than a genuine development of passion. This is mostly due to how Narvel comes to the rescue by infiltrating drug dens and showcasing his violent side when it comes to helping Maya find her way out of the labyrinth of users and abusers. The relationship also takes on a new meaning when it flies in the face of what Mrs. Haverhill meant by “keeping it in the family” for Maya staying at her estate.

Master Gardener is not Paul Schrader at his best, but just like with pizza, even when it’s cold, it’s still pretty good. There are plenty of immaculate moments of lingering in the gardener and getting lost within Narvel’s meticulous head. The performances are strong, and the blunt nature of sex and violence is uniquely woven once more. While not as stylish or intoxicating as First Reformed or The Card Counter, I still found myself enraptured with this crime thriller that is a step above the rest of the modern genre, even if it’s not a step up for Schrader and feels more like a walk in the park (or garden) for this accomplished director.