The Sleeping Dictionary | Rotten Tomatoes

The Sleeping Dictionary

R

2003

1 hr. 49 min.

Drama

Romance

List

Reviews

67%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the 1930s, British officer John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he is introduced to Selima (Jessica Alba), a lovely Iban woman. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with John and teach him the native language and customs. But when they begin to fall in love, both the colonists and the natives object to their plans to marry.

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Harold P

A good story about a forbidden love with good plot twist not too cliche and is very well written.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/06/23

Full Review

Louis g

The storyline is a conventional melodrama, but I think this work is a must for those who like Hugh. I love it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/25/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Wuu~... Exotic Borneo

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was an interesting film. At first, it seemed like a predictable, forbidden love story and at many times it was. However, there were some plot twists that makes one unsure of which way the story will go, and for this reason it is worth watching.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Dancy and Alba were great together in this movie. I don't know if there is any basis in reality supporting this plot, but it made for a good story. The ending was beautiful and very satisfying after all their trials to be together.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

if you are Jessica alba fan, you should see this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Andrew Niccol

Director

Hugh Dancy

John Truscott

Jessica Alba

Selima

Brenda Blethyn

Aggie

Bob Hoskins

Henry

Emily Mortimer

Cecil

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Robert Pardi

TV Guide

If your taste runs to palm fronds and moonlit rendezvous, you might enjoy this impeccably produced bit of kitsch.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 23, 2008

Full Review

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

I can't say much for the wandering storyline...

Rated: 2.5/5

Nov 1, 2005

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A rather stiff soap opera romantic-melodrama.

Rated: C-

Jul 8, 2003

Full Review

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Synopsis

During the 1930s, British officer John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he is introduced to Selima (Jessica Alba), a lovely Iban woman. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with John and teach him the native language and customs. But when they begin to fall in love, both the colonists and the natives object to their plans to marry.

Director: Andrew Niccol
Screenwriter: Andrew Niccol
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Jersey Films
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2008
Sound Mix: Surround

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