Jessica Alba, Brenda Blethyn, Hugh Dancy

An eager young Englishman is dispatched to Sarawak to become part of the British colonial government, encounters some unorthodox local traditions, and finds himself faced with tough decisions of the h...( read more  read more... )eart involving the beautiful young Selima, the unwitting object of his affections.

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71% liked it

1,377 ratings

R, 109 min.

Directed by: Guy Jenkin

Release Date: December 31, 2001

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DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003

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Flixster Reviews (389)


  • January 10, 2008
    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.
  • September 13, 2007
    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.
  • June 6, 2007
    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.

  • October 3, 2009
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    The Sleeping Dictionary was a lovely romance with emotional character interpretations.Jessica Alba was perfect in this role and she ...( read more)was 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.
  • November 6, 2007
    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!
  • September 17, 2009
    The movie was very beautiful. Absolutely not recommended for the family seeing as it has it's fair share of love scenes and crude language. The movie was like a Sarawak version of Romeo and Juliet. Beauty and the Beast. A Sarawak native and a white man LOL It was about their stru...( read more)ggle of love, their tragedies and their determination. So beautiful.
  • August 24, 2009
    Truly spellbinding a wonderful romantic movie. Jessica alba was perfect for the role as was hugh dancy
  • June 11, 2009
    surprisingly good, romantic and peaceful
  • May 23, 2009
    i loved this movie.... its the best romance movie that jessica alba acted in
  • May 1, 2009
    feel good movie that tackles about the era of british occupation in some asian country around 1900's.

Comments


  • samctb92
    June 19, 2008
    Williamwool, how do u know its a body double??

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