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Hugh Dancy, Jessica Alba, Brenda Blethyn, Bob Hoskins, Emily Mortimer ... see more see more... , Noah Taylor

Guy Jenkin directs this straight-to-video romantic drama shot on-location in Malaysia. In the rainforests of Boreno in the 1930s, English officer John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) accepts a position to colon... read more read more...ize the native population of Sarawak at the request of the British government. In following with the native tradition, he is given the services of a servant, Selima (Jessica Alba). A position that British officers refer to as a "sleeping dictionary," she is a concubine to share his bed and teach him the local language. The tradition forbids romantic entanglements, so the relationship is watched over by superior officer Henry Bullard (Bob Hoskins) and his wife, Aggie (Brenda Blethyn). When Selima and John fall madly in love, they enrage both the colonizers and the colonized. Also starring Emily Mortimer and Noah Taylor. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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68% liked it

6,607 ratings

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Guy Jenkin

Release Date: February 18, 2003

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DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003

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Stats: 450 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (450)

  • rezpatriot
    January 10, 2008
    rezpatriot
    This I never saw advertised in the cinema, but I watched it because of Jessica Albas recent fame. I would have expected it would have been a more popular film, its good, its fun, adult family film for the parents perhaps. Its a Romance.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    September 13, 2007
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    First off, I give you the good news: Jessica Alba has nude scenes in this film. Rejoice perverts.

    The bad news: It was a body double. =(

    Anyway, the movie didn't sound too appealing to begin with but nothing else was on. I'm glad I had the chance to see this. I'm unsure as to... read more whether the story is based on any reality but regardless, I really enjoyed it. Not only was the story captivating but I also loved the cinematography. To add, the acting wasn't half bad. Worth seeing.
  • binky013
    June 6, 2007
    binky013
    Hey! I ran across this on FLIX last night. I, uh, I'm sorry to say that I really, ah, have nothing to offer, critically speaking, about this movie. I was, ah, concentrating too hard on, um, something while, uh, . . . . Okay, I was too busy watching Jessica Alba to think about... read more anything else. I admit it. I admit it, okay? My apologies.

    Oh, I just thought of something: poison darts. Yes, and killing evil white men who try to poison the indigenous inhabitants in order to appropriate their silver mines in secret. Oh, and prototypical colonialist behavior on the part of the British, befitting that age-old urge to empire build. And, oh yeah, there's a white man enamored of a native woman. I don't think I've ever seen that before on film. And the white folk hate the idea, and so do the natives. And . . . uh . . . .

    HEY! It's Jessica Alba! Cut me some slack.
  • mvieaddict
    October 3, 2009
    mvieaddict
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    The Sleeping Dictionary was a lovely romance with emotional character interpretations.Jessica Alba was perfect in this role and she ... read morewas looking so young. The movie itself was very good and enjoyable to watch.The chemistry of Jessica Alba and Hugh Dancy was breathtaking and the supporting cast such as Bob Hoskins, Emily Mortimer and Brenda Blethyn was also amazing. There were little actions scenes, not much, but all that it was about was a simple love story and that worked for me.
  • ileo
    November 6, 2007
    ileo
    A remarkable movie! Hugh Dancy (looking younger in this film) is fantastic, as well as Jessica Alba.
    Love the music composition and score. Great sceneries!
  • Parannoyed
    August 3, 2007
    Parannoyed
    a very good romantic movie with an amazingly hot actor *drools*
  • cspadget
    February 4, 2010
    cspadget
    For those who can?t get enough of Hugh Dancy or Jessica Alba, this little gem from 2003 is a must-see. A period drama, set in 1930s Sarawak, the western extreme of Malaysia, still a tropical paradise. Despite its stellar supporting cast of Brenda Blethyn, Bob Hoskins, Emily Mor... read moretimer, and Noah Taylor, this film is quite forgettable. What did the director do wrong?
  • suzukimyli2000
    August 24, 2009
    suzukimyli2000
    Truly spellbinding a wonderful romantic movie. Jessica alba was perfect for the role as was hugh dancy
  • williamrwoolard
    June 3, 2008
    williamrwoolard
    A very good story and Jessica Alba looks perfect in the role. Very nicely played by all, but the nude scenes are a body double, not really Jess, so don't get too excited.
  • ragtimetaz
    December 1, 2007
    ragtimetaz
    excellent, film was absolutely gorgeous, couldn't have picked a better location for a love-story of this calibur

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Critic Reviews

Robert Pardi
April 23, 2008
Robert Pardi, TV Guide's Movie Guide

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

Christopher Null
November 1, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

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

Dennis Schwartz
July 8, 2003
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A rather stiff soap opera romantic-melodrama. Full Review

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The Sleeping Dictionary Trivia

  • Which actress played in 'the sleeping dictionary'?  Answer »
  • What movie that starred Jessica Alba in year 2002?  Answer »
  • Which actor/actress starred in these these films? The sleeping dictionary, Honey and Paranoid.  Answer »
  • Jessica Alba played as a beautiful native from the jungle of ____________ in the movie Sleeping Dictionary.  Answer »
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