The Sleeping Dictionary Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Learn to speak her language.
In 1936, the expatriated young and naive just-graduated British John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) arrives to the Sarawak, a British colony, to work in the Iban society. The beautiful Selima (Jessica Alba) is assigned to be his "sleeping dictionary", to live and sleep with him and teach him the language and habits of the locals. The reluctant John and Selima fall in love for each other in a forbidden romance.
| Jessica Alba | Selima |
| Brenda Blethyn | Aggie |
| Hugh Dancy | John Truscott |
| Bob Hoskins | Henry |
| Christopher Ling Lee Ian | Jasmine |
| Junix Inocian | Famous |
| Michael Jessing Langgi | Melaka |
| Mano Maniam | Policeman |
| K.K. Moggie | Tipong |
| Emily Mortimer | Cecil |
| Cicilia Anak Richard | Jester Woman |
| Malcolm Rogers | Vicar |
| Eugene Salleh | Belansai |
| Noah Taylor | Neville |
| Kate Helen White | Mandar |
| Guy Jenkin |
6.40 out of 10 (1902 votes)
Visitor Reviews
I like the film, the idea and the way of interpretation.
posted on 23 Jul 2009At first I want to mention that it's the first film that I saw with Jessica's playing. She already 22 years old, and to my astonishment she is playing very good, even I can say like a star. She is beautiful. I think she will have blameless future and since I'm one of her fans.
Shallow story but great setting
posted on 07 Jul 2009It's really too bad when the whole motivation for a long-lasting love is that both the man and the woman are super attractive. With everything that happens to the young British colonial officer and the young Iban woman who becomes his "sleeping (together) dictionary" AFTER they fall in love (most of the movie), it's hard to believe their "love" is really that strong, as it's based on almost nothing, story-wise.The mountains and jungles of Sarawak, East Malaysia, make a stunning setting for the film. The longhouses, shown in the old style, and the life of the Iban people provide a wonderful texture and cultural backdrop ... sadly, not much more than that. The people are dignified and realistic, and if you don't know anything about the headhunting days and traditional culture of the interior of Borneo, you might find yourself wanting to learn more after you see this. Most of the actors look like Iban, or at least Malays -- except for Alba, who isn't and doesn't.I caught this on IFC, and I wasn't bored, but the thin cardboard characters really disappointed me even while I was enjoying the scenery.
An overlooked Gem
posted on 04 May 2009This was never released but went straight to DVD and I can't figure out why. The movie could be classified as a "Date" movie, one part romance novel, one part drama. I was really drawn to this movie by Jessica Alba, if nothing else she's jut fine to look at and it's fun to see her grow as an actress. Yes, grow, she's improving with each film she's in. It was a huge bonus that the movie itself is very good. I was very surprised at the fine actors aboard. Bob Hoskins, Emily Moritmer and Brenda Blethyn let alone the native tribesmen. The movie has a first class look to it, well I expected this to be shot on a back lot but it was shot on location which you just don't see on a direct to DVD release. This is one of those movies that are a joy to discover. There's very few explosions, action scenes are not longer than 1 minute long, all that's left is a simple story about love that works for me. I would suggest another "gem" with Emily Morimer in it, 'Dear Frankie', it's a very good movie also.
really good movie
posted on 17 Feb 2009At first i got it of me friend and both watched it because Jessica Alba is in it but. It was really good and would watch it again, its a really good story line. Also the actors and actresses are really good as well. Id say this movie is a ten out of ten. And would recommend it to anyone who likes a romantic movie and it also attracts people who don't really like romantic movie as well. Its a good movie that makes you want to watch it again nd again and u cant stop watching it. And if your a Jesica Alba fan then you'll like this movie as shes in it all the way through and plays her character very well as usual. She brings her character to life and you really start to believe in her character and the story line and whats going on.
A chance for a decent drama missed.
posted on 09 Aug 2008Like the beauty of the jungle, Jessica Alba's gorgeous smile and sultry looks loom over the film, but alas they are the only two things worth watching this film for. When in theory we should be watching for the narrative.The plot is thin on the ground, and hard to believe. As beautiful as Jessica Alba is, she doesn't add any of the spark that she injected into the credible 'Dark Angel' series. Since Dark Angel it seems that Alba has been reduced to mere eye candy(but what eye candy!), and is the sole reason for putting her into films.The concept of the sleeping dictionary is daft and implausible, with little character development (or character for that matter) to make us want to undertake the 109 minutes run time with this world. Despite the films short running time, it still manages to feel to long and too laboured.It seems a shame that such talent such as Brenda Blethyn, Emily Mortimer, Bob Hoskins are wasted on a threadbare narrative which barely raises a pulse. This film seriously misses a trick, an exotic setting, a more than capable cast, with lovely cinematography, and a chance to utilise the themes and the dualistic concepts of 'civilisation'. But there is little narrative to speak of, no drama, no sense we are watching a story of love, more a story of lust and woman happy to please men without question. Lets be honest, if Jessica Alba was freely allowing you to sleep with her, do you seriously think you'd be able to concentrate on learning a tribal language? Therein lies the great problem, both in suspension of disbelief, and also what the female characters are limited and reduced to. Take for example the fact that Jessica alba's character undergoes the mental and physical tribulation of pregnancy and birth to her forbidden love, yet all we see is her looking lovely and curvy one minute, then lovely and curvy, with a baby, the next.It's a sorry state of affairs to see a film with promise not live up to anything near it's potential. I could write endlessly of the films flaws, but it pains me to do so. The film looks good, the premise could have been made into a lovely film, but sadly it wasn't to be.
Engaging romance, beautiful scenery
posted on 28 Jun 2008While overseas, I had heard the concept of the movie and the fact the appealing Jessica Alba was featured but had little chance to check on the actual film. When I returned to the USA late last year, I found the film had gone directly to video with limited availability (couldn't get it at Blockbuster, for instance). I am glad that I wound up buying a copy (although I found a 'used' DVD for half the new asking price).It is a shame the film never appeared in theaters as the visuals of Sarawak would have been great on the large screen and the audio and music are well done and would have benefited from a theatrical environment.BELOW IS DISCUSSION OF PLOT ELEMENTS WHICH MIGHT SPOIL IT FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM.While overall the plot line was reasonable and avoided cliche, there were a number of disconnects as far as I was concerned.Truscott's dilemma with Bullard after the miners' slaughter arrives too abruptly and presumes some sort of offscreen confession. Since it is a central conflict in the drama, it really deserves more explanation.Similarly, the "one year later" leap to Truscott's marrying Cecil Bullard lacked sincerity. Why would Truscutt marry the daughter of those who wedged him away from his true love? While one can imagine various possibilities, the lack of on screen justification left me unfulfilled.Finally, even after conversion by Sarawak and its people, Truscutt is still too much of a proper Englishman to credibly leave a pregnant wife. Some of the sympathy I'd built up for the forbidden lovers was undercut by the way this was handled. It would have been far better for Cecil to push a reluctant Truscutt away.Still, these plot issues are relatively small in comparison to a film, cast and cinematography that rose well above the small budget and unheralded distribution. I rarely buy videos or DVDs because I find I seldom go back to play them, but this one I will enjoy owning.
Worth watching
posted on 07 May 2008I'll make this short. The story was good (though I was a bit disappointed in the ending...seemed a little hypocritical to me) and the acting was superb, from everyone EXCEPT Jessica Alba. Good grief, talk about miscasting. She's a great bubble gum actress for a television teeny-bop role and I think she is accomplished and beautiful, but she doesn't have the presence or the maturity to carry off a more serious role like this one. With a different Selima, this movie could have made some serious waves.
I Love This Movie
posted on 05 Feb 2008I LOVE this movie! This movie took me on a roller-coaster of emotions. It made me laugh and cry, I really had a good cathartic cry towards the end. Jessica Alba is AMAZING as Selima, she really shines! I found myself thinking about the characters long after the movie was over. There should be a sequel because the end leaves some unanswered questions lingering on my mind. This movie is a perfect romantic date movie, just cuddle up on the loveseat with a big bowl of buttery popcorn & an ice cold drink...suspend your disbelief for the time being ('cause it's only a movie, not the History Channel)...and travel back in time to "when England ruled the world." I really like the lush and exotic scenery/background; it really takes me away to a faraway jungle/tropical paradise. The movie brings up several issues, I'm not going to discuss them all, just a few. It makes one question exactly what defines "savages," "indigenous peoples," "primitive locals." You can observe the well-to-do, proper Englishmen/Englishwomen and compare their behavior to the "uncivilized natives" and see who behaves as a savage and who behaves as a member of the human race. How do we define what is or is not taboo? This movie really touches my heart...similar to Frances Hodgson Burnett's "A Little Princess" & "The Secret Garden," Alex Haley's "Queen," and "Anna & the King."SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! PLEASE DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE!!!Another issue I truly enjoy masticating on is the issue of Selima and her (relationship with held) Cecilia. Cecilia was sent away to boarding school at the tender age of 5 years old. Her mother, Aggie never came to see her, not even on Christmas (Scroogey, isn't it?). Aggie was too concerned about her husband, Henry, and his love affair with his "sleeping dictionary" to worry about her own daughter. Cecilia did not have the time she felt cheated of to spend with her parents. Cecilia grew up to be quite an independent woman because of this. Selima on the other hand was right there in the same little village as Henry, who lived in a great big home upstream (uphill - reminiscent of Alex Haley's "Queen" and the big plantation house that Queen's biological father lived on). Even though she lived so close to him she was just as far away as Cecilia was in boarding school back in England. Selima's father told her mother, his sleeping dictionary, to tell little 4 year old Selima that he had gone back to England. She always remembered her dear old dad...eventually she figured out on her own.. (Luke Skywalker...Darth Vader..."I AM your father...") OOOh..Aggie is a character I love to despise. She is truly a savage beneath her vapid visage. In the end Cecilia did what her mother could not do...let go. Sometimes you just have to L.I.G. it (let it go), like Ice Cube said on Next Friday. When you really love someone you can let them go. Unrequited love is no love at all and it is sometimes better to be alone than to be with someone who is in love with someone else. I do believe that Cecilia will be a better mother to her child than Aggie ever was towards Cecilia. Cecilia seems more focused on what truly should be her priorities than Aggie. So what if John runs off with the "head-huntress," she has her baby to live for. She deserves to have the same love and passion as Selima & John have for one another.
Sleeping Story (DVD)
posted on 03 Feb 2008Yes, it's true that it was Jessica Alba who leads me to this movie, because without her, I should have never pick it.But, I find it long, dull and above all, unoriginal. All along, I thought that the story was full of clichés and the directing very boring. So it was a surprise to see that the director and writer are the one and same person. I take notice to remember to avoid all his next movies.It's a pity because all good things were at hand: Malaysia is a beautiful jungle, it was the British Empire and the cast is wonderful: Jessica knows how to open her soul and for one time, she has found an appropriate movie for this. Bob Hoskins shows a great experience and he should have won an award for this role.The only positive thing is that it makes me open a world-map to locate this island because if you guess it happens in south Asia, you don't know where exactly! Ah, the little plane flight with red lines in the Indiana Jones movie!!!
could have been brilliant
posted on 28 Jan 2008This film sadly disappointed me.I rented it one night ready to enjoy good acting and gripping story and the wonderful Hugh Dancy, Bob Hoskins, Jessica Alba and Emily Mortimer. I really expected to love this film but somehow I was not satisfied.The acting was not up to standard with only Hugh and Emily really showing any of the skill I know them to have. Jessica was not at all suited to the role she lacked all the reserve a woman from Borneo would have had at that time.The film was too rushed and in parts completely unbelievable I am afraid to say that after this Jessica has fallen dramatically in my estimation,
Five Star ++
posted on 27 Nov 2007'The Sleeping Dictionary' directed by Guy Jenkin just came to a Video store in my neighborhood (February 2003). It is one of the best movies I have seen...I rate it in the top 10 on my list of Romance/Drama. This film has terrific director- ship, meaning that the plot moves smoothly, is highly coherent, and suspenseful with timely revelations. The acting is first class...you like who you are supposed to and don't. I enjoyed seeing a film with real settings...jungle scenes & environs. I look forward to seeing future Guy Jenkins films. Even the music is excellent: it is fully supportive but one doesn't notice it. This is about the best compliment I can give to a music score for a movie in the Romance/Drama category. (too many movies have distracting music or volume with effect that fogs the plot impact).
There is some violence, upper nudity, harsh language and death issues so restrict your young viewers as per choice. 'The Sleeping Dictionary' is a video I will purchase.
Very few directors achieve this level of perfection so I put this film in the Artistic Category, not simply Entertainment. Give Director Mr. Jenkins top awards, Members. Thank you, JW.
A puzzling film
posted on 03 Nov 2007The puzzle is, why did this film go directly to video and why isn't it a better film?Fineline apparently relegated this to the video bins because of a crowded release schedule, but more likely because it had just one American star in it, Jessica Alba, and her TV series, "Dark Angel," had been canceled, meaning she no longer brought any "heat" to the project.That's a shame, because this film is light years better than most direct to video releases.While the plot is quite complicated, it is basically about a young Englishman, played by Hugh Dancey, who goes out to Sawawak (Borneo) in the mid-thirties to follow in his father's footsteps and bring the benefits of a good English education to the natives and headhunters of the region.He needs to pick up the language, though, and thus is assigned a "sleeping dictionary" a fetching young local woman who will teach him the native lingo, while giving him an education in bed at the same time. While that may sound as contrived a plot as you could find, it is probably grounded in fact, and certainly grounded in solid, British upper class hypocrisy of that day, which, taking into account the fact that he'll be there for three years, sees no reason why he can't avail himself of the local talent to satisfy his sexual needs. In fact, when he initially rejects the beautiful Jessica Alba, they offer him a young man, he being the product of British boys schools and all that.After a very brief period of conflict, Dancey and Alba fall head over heels for each other, decide they want to marry, and find themselves in hot water from that point on. The film goes on to rightfully bash British upper class racial prejudice, but never quite deals with the key issue facing Dancey's character. Does he ever catch on that the education he wanted to bring to the natives is the same education that says, one Englishman is worth a thousand natives?Anyway, the film, written and directed by Guy Jenkin, is fairly well scripted, well directed and absolutely beautifully shot. Word is, it cost just $15 million, but it has the look of a much more expensive picture, definitely not some cut rate direct to video thriller. This is not some prison women in cages film shot in the Philippines.There are some good characterizations here. Bob Hoskins starts out very strong as the cynical governor of this province, but then is very under utilized. Brenda Blethyn is fantasic as Hoskins wife, a manipulative upper class snob who is the real villain of the story.But there are script problems here. Dancey and Alba fall in love far too quickly, skipping over a lot of character build up which would have made us care for them a lot more than we wind up doing. There is sympathy for them, though, because of the obvious class and racial biases in the British empire. But you get the feeling there are a lot of missed opportunities here.Perhaps the biggest flaw the film has are its two stars, though. Dancey,pretty much unknown in America, seems only adequate to me. He brings no real passion to the role of the young idealist.The real enigma, of course, is Jessica Alba. Although as beautiful as any young actress in Hollywood today, she has yet to prove that she can actually act, and with every successive missed opportunity, she is building up a body of work that says maybe she can't. Her first feature staring role was in a flic called "Paranoid," in which she was frankly just plain dreadful. She has had supporting roles in a couple of other films, but the pictures were so dreadful you couldn't hang much of the blame on her, except maybe in her choice of roles. Her big break came in the James Cameron produced TV series "Dark Angel," which got its wings clipped after two seasons. In it, Abla was forced to play a rather depressing character in a depressing show and she could not get deep enough into it to make it the kind of hit that Jennifer Garner became in "Alias."In Sleeping Dictionary, Alba definitely looks like someone any man would want to sleep with, but other than that seems in many ways miscast completely. I read one review here that mistakenly places this movie in South America. I wonder if the producers made the same mistake. The days when any dark skinned actress can play any dark skinned character, from Latino to Asian to Arabic, appear to be over to me. Alba didn't seem like a resident of Borneo. She in many ways seemed like a wise ass girl from East Los Angeles.Then there's the main problem, her delivery of lines. Alba is excellent when she keeps her mouth shut. No, really, she does reaction shots extremely well. Her emotions play out beautifully on her face. It's when she has to talk that she often finds herself in trouble. In this film, much of her delivery of her lines was just short of bad.More importantly, it wasn't good and that makes this film another big missed chance for Jessica Alba. It's too bad, because she was in part hampered by an under developed character, which may have been hampered by a restricted budget. Ten more minutes showing us who the main characters really were might have made all the difference in this film. But Alba still would have had to be good enough to handle the added material and I still don't know if she is.She supposedly has another film in the works in which she plays some kind of hiphop dancer. Hopefully, at least playing the right race, she'll shine. But she just misses the mark for me in "Sleeping Dictionary" as she has missed it in everything she's done since "Flipper."
One of the Best Films of 2002
posted on 10 Oct 2007Although THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY is not that well known and never had a theatrical release, it is by far one of the best movies of 2002. My sister had to pursuade me to first rent, then watch this movie because the idea of a British colonial officer who falls in love with what is known as a Sleeping Dictionary...that is a native woman who sleeps with a man while teaching him the native language. Jessica Alba, who is most well known for her stint on "DARK ANGEL", deftly portrays Selima, the native sleeping dictionary for John Truscott. Hugh Dancy, who portrays John Truscott, is a young british actor who is on his way up. Dancy and Alba have chemistry, and you can hardly take your eyes off of them. The supporting cast is also excellent. Brenda Blethyn, Bob Hoskins, Emily Mortimer, Noah Taylor, Junix Inocian, and Eugene Salleh each portray their parts perfectly and add a unique flavor to the movie.On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being lowest, 10 highest), I rate THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY a 10.
Light and Lovely
posted on 27 Aug 2007While this romantic drama lends itself to more than a few plot holes, it is a lovely romance with sensual scenery and emotional character interpretations. The setting is Sarawak, 1936, and the story revolves around just a few characters focused on the relationship growing between Salima (Jessica Alba) and Truscott (Hugh Dancy).Alba is beautifully subtle in her expression of the tribal interpreter falling in love with the young Brit she's only meant to bed and school. Dancy works out the complex attitudes of the period piece in his intimate acceptance of the colliding cultures. Besides the stars, the supporting cast give great performances that color the setting in time, energy, as well as character. Written so that the lovers' individual cultures are more the 'villian' than any one man, Noah Taylor turns in a noteworthy performance as the Brit without sympathy. While not a text book presentation, it's a lovely film with genuine and romantic portrayals. 81/100 (B)
A Romance In Sarawak
posted on 22 Mar 2007The Sleeping Dictionary is about a British man named Truscot who went to explore the land of Sarawak. Truscot didn't know how to speak their language called Iban, So A Sleeping Dictionary named Selima (Jessica Alba) taught him how to speak the language and sleep together at the same time. While tutoring and having sex, Truscot and Selima were in love and wanted to get married, But the explores that went with Truscot didn't allow him to marrie Selima. The Sarawak Tribe didn't allow the marrige ethier and Selima and Truscot were banned from seeing each other or they would be killed. For the rest of the story, please buy or rent the movie to see what happened. For a suggestion, I rented my DVD from Hollywood Video.
Good for what's its worth
posted on 29 Jan 2007I just recently watched this movie on IFC. And was pleasantly surprise when i first started watching it. But as it progressed, it just boggles me at the execution of it.Firstly, commendable performance from Jessica Alba. I am from Singapore, and the setting is close to my heart. For an American, she has definitely convinced me that she was local. Her accent is shaky, but then again, what's the right accent? But i think she played the role well. The other actors however, feels pretty flat. No ups no downs.Secondly, for the genre and the setting, this movie can be so much more. The script is very flat, the highs are not high enough, and the lows are not gripping enough. I do not feel for the characters, and I do not care for what this young British is going through.Thirdly, I couldn't tell that this takes place in the Malayan archipelago until I was told so in the movie. It just seems so contrive, for the lack of a better word. I should be angry, I should feel sad, I should feel that this is the most unfair world to live in. Yet... All i could see is, Jessica Alba doing a great job.I wish someone would re-write this screenplay, and add to this story, take away the crap that is completely unnecessary and make this as magical as it potentially could be.
There's no way out...
posted on 07 Jan 2007In terms of romantic films there is always a formula. I mean, if the formula didn't exist we wouldn't get any movies. Sometimes it's really hard to admit, when we have seen a movie and liked it, but clichés don't stop, ever. People need some inspiration to make stuff, if not.We are arriving to "The Sleeping Dictionary". Well, this movie's concept is totally interesting. I haven't read about "sleeping dictionaries" anywhere, but it is fair subject to treat. A woman, who teaches you the native language of a place you're living in, and also, sleeps with you.The English man arrives to Sarawak and, after a series of events (shot with a camera constantly showing the two main characters, like if we didn't know they're going to fall in love), he is given a sleeping dictionary. But, well, he is an educated man, carrying his country's spirits. These ones won't let him "sleep" with the "sleeping dictionary". Although they will probably sleep together sooner or later, just to make the movie work. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not against love stories, I like them very much. But I'm against love stories I have already seen, when they're a little different.I'll explain. This is also a drama. There's passion involved, there is other people involved. A family, a tribe. But like I said, the camera is making things obvious, and the script is kind of ruining them, because it doesn't give the characters the development they probably need, making us doubt about their feelings. I couldn't really fell the love John Truscott had for Selima. The movie explains to us that's real love. But then, real love is also what John feels for Cecil, which is nothing. Just as the love Henry feels for Aggie. Obliged love? Possibly. If John chooses Selima it's because the movie may seem deeper than if he chooses Cecil. All this is because of how subjects are treated in the film. Everything is obvious; not just the situations in general, but what each character will do about them, what each character will say.This could be like a modern "Pocahontas", now that I think of it. It has, as I said, some new elements, and some original ones, and of course, some coming from other stories also. Could be "Pocahontas", or just not. Bob Hoskins should have been offered a nice number to do this, but it's good to see him. Then, Alba is not making an improvement with this role, nor is Dancy. The others are there, and it would be the same if they wouldn't. It would be the same if there was no one there.Just to say, the film makes the viewer wait to much. I mean, finish it at once! I say this because the movie attempts to end several times, and, although we already know the ending, we are willing to see it. But we will not be if you're just creating another sub-plot to make the film longer. This is a long film. Characters not always come as one-dimensional as in this movie. And performances don't come as soft also. Everything about the movie is soft. People wanted to do it; but just softly. There's not much more to say. We get used to these things.
Better than I thought; a must see
posted on 22 Dec 2006The Sleeping Dictionary is a film that when I first heard about it, I thought it would be just another dumb melo-romantic-drama. But I was wrong. This film has great feeling, great sexuality (fans of Jessica Alba and Dark Angel will be immensly pleased), and good craftwork. It is a very good movie.The plot involves a young Englishman (Hugh Dancey) who comes to a South American place to civilize the area. But then he meets a young woman called the sleeping dictionary (Alba, in a great role), and of course the love comes around. Conventional story takes many turns and avoids many cliches that in another film would be taken. Sweeping photography and excellent performances propell this film to must-seeness. A-
a beautiful film
posted on 04 Dec 2006This was an excellent film and brought back a lot of memories of my time with the Iban people in Sarawak. The costumes, the people, the scenery...these would all be worth watching the movie even without a good plot. There are some priceless moments in it including a conversation with the cook about drunkenness and wages and the relationship between the young Englishman and the Iban people he is supposed to be governing. The Iban have a well developed sense of humor. Overall the plot is enjoyable. I'm not a fan of romances, but this was well done and gave a unique glimpse into a people who are still very much the same to this day (minus the actual head hunting).If you have ever dreamed of an adventure in Borneo, watch this first...it will convince you of the beauty and the need to go.
This movie is charming and romantic, brave and worth watching.
posted on 04 Aug 2009This movie was brave and enchanting. It is about two star crossed lovers who can't be together because of heritage. It's the primitive version of Romeo and Juliet with an added twist of guilt. Jessica alba's character is so heart breaking to watch. She plays a girl who was forced to follow the rules of a world she was born into. A world that thinks she betrayed everything they stand for. Alba's character struggles with her romantic feelings for the Englishman. Sometimes she feels beneath him, and watching her struggle to find her place in a world she only half belongs is reason to watch it alone. In my opinion Titanic was the best romance movie of all time and this movie comes in a close second.