Customer Reviews

The Sleeping Dictionary

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

"The Sleeping Dictionary" was a direct to video film, which is rather surprisingly given both its cast and its look, as borne out by the film winning four DVD Exclusive Awards in 2003 for Best Actress Jessica Alba, Best Cinematography by Martin Fuhrer, Best Supporting Actor Bob Hoskins, and Best Supporting Actress Brenda Blethyn. This really is too good of a film to be a DVD Premier Movie, but hopefully word will get around, even if it is to check out Jessica Alba wearing colorful tribal outfits.

The setting is Sarawak, Malaysia in 1937, when young John Truscott (Hugh Dancy), fresh out of university (where he tended to read books), has come to serve his Majesty's government as an official of the Empire. The regional governor is Henry Bullard (Hoskins), who oversees the Iban, a tribe of friendly headhunters. John, like his father, has a dream of educating the Iban children, but that requires him to learn the local language and customs. The governor arranges for John to have a "sleeping dictionary," a local girl who will both teach the young Englishmen to speak the language and tutor him in the ways of love.

The girl selected for John is Selima (Alba), who is half Iban and have British. John initially resists the second part of his education, but in the end falls in love with this beautiful and sensual woman, which violates the taboos of both cultures. Meanwhile, the governor wants his daughter, Cecil (Emily Mortimer) to marry John, and the situation conspires to give our young hero no choice but to stick to the elitist traditions of his own people. Cecil and her mother (Blethyn) know about the sleeping dictionaries, but it turns out that neither they nor John know everything about Selima and the solution to John's problems that is arranged at the end of the film's first act becomes unraveled in the second.

This is a beautiful film from writer-director Guy Jenkin, full of stunning visuals of the lush jungle of Sarawak and the native peoples. Simon Boswell's musical score perfectly compliments the visual splendor. The only real weakness on that side of the camera is the editing, where key moments are shoved aside to move on to the next scene too quickly a couple of times. But the strength of "The Sleeping Dictionary" is in front of the camera, not only in terms of the gorgeous images but the solid performances from the entire cast. Even those who are disappointed that there is a body double for Alba in the nude scenes or that her accent is problematic at times are not going to be disappointed they checked out this 2002 film.

Unfortunately New Line Cinema skimped on the extras for this DVD. All we get is are trailers, mostly for other films, and no insights into whether the sleeping dictionary is a real tradition or part of Jenkins' imagination. One of the joys of a well made period piece is a look at the fun the cast and crew had with getting it right on screen.

Despite a sub-par performance by Jessica Alba, I still enjoyed this movie. In fact, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The scenery was beautiful, and the story was intriguing to me of an English colonial attempting to learn the language and culture of a people. Through his education, he finds himself more comfortable with the natives than with his fellow Englishmen.

Hugh Dancy and Bob Hoskins turn in good performances. In many ways, they keep the movie afloat. Jessica just seemed a bit out of place. I've seen her act. I know she can do a good job. She simply didn't seem to have a solid handle on her character. Her accent was about as credible as Kevin Costner's in Robin Hood. But, I was able to look past this and enjoy this film.

Also, anyone who rents this film with the hopes of "seeing" Jessica topless is in for a disappointment. It is a body-double, confirmed by Jessica Alba herself. Any time you don't see the actor/actress's face, 9 times out of 10, it is a body double. And anyone who knows anything about making movies aside from watching them knows that just because the cut to the face of the actor/actress, is not an indicator that it is the actor/actress doing the nude scene. Anytime the movie "cuts" is an indication of a new shot, therefore, not filmed in a single, unending sequence.

So, if you are interested in a good story and some great scenery, than this film should work for you. If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of Jessica, then you best move on.

I'm going to preface this review by saying that I think "The Sleeping Dictionary" might have made an excellent movie. But, unfortunately, as it stands--it is more of an interesting failure. Set in 1939 Malaysia, the film's locale does offer a colorful and lush backdrop to the story. Hugh Dancy stars as a British official who is sent into the jungle to "civilize" the natives. His actual job functions, though, are somewhat sketchy and superfluous. Any time the film spends looking at his actual "work" is only done to provide broad culture clash comedy. He meets a Malaysian girl (Jessica Alba) who is to serve as his sleeping dictionary, a term used to describe someone who will teach him the local language and warm his bed. Of course, the two actually fall in love which brings about a whole new series of complications.

Now if this is supposed to be 1939 Malaysia, it is absolutely the most modernized and Westernized version possible. I couldn't take this picture seriously for a moment. Getting past that, though, the first half of the movie wants to be a frothy comedy while the second half shifts focus into a romantic tragedy. This jarring tonal switch is not wholly effective. By playing the first part so light, the film doesn't get us to invest in its story or characters. When things turn more serious, then, it might hold your interest but you are never emotionally involved.

I actually like the fact that Jessica Alba wanted to try a film of a more serious nature, but sadly she falls short. Half the picture, she slinks around like a playful kitten uttering lines more fitting to a modern romantic comedy than a period piece. It's so out of place as to be disconcerting, but most of the blame really falls on the script's shortcomings. For those of you purely interested in Alba as a physical specimen--there is a fair amount of sex. She does, however, contort around unbelievably so as not to show any actual skin (except for a couple of obvious body double moments). As for her believability as a Malaysian--I'll be kind and succinct and say it just doesn't work.

Hugh Dancy is far more successful as the idealistic official and Bob Hoskins and Brenda Blethyn are reliable, as always. For those looking for a really spirited romantic, exotic epic--I'd suggest Michael Mann's sublime "Last of the Mohicans." I just didn't connect with this film in the way necessary to make it really memorable. It's not a disaster, it is just unrealized potential. For me, I'm sad to say it only merits about 2 1/2 stars which I'll round up because it's pretty to look at. KGHarris, 11/06.

I'm going to preface this review by saying that I think "The Sleeping Dictionary" might have made an excellent movie. But, unfortunately, as it stands--it is more of an interesting failure. Set in 1939 Malaysia, the film's locale does offer a colorful and lush backdrop to the story. Hugh Dancy stars as a British official who is sent into the jungle to "civilize" the natives. His actual job functions, though, are somewhat sketchy and superfluous. Any time the film spends looking at his actual "work" is only done to provide broad culture clash comedy. He meets a Malaysian girl (Jessica Alba) who is to serve as his sleeping dictionary, a term used to describe someone who will teach him the local language and warm his bed. Of course, the two actually fall in love which brings about a whole new series of complications.

Now if this is supposed to be 1939 Malaysia, it is absolutely the most modernized and Westernized version possible. I couldn't take this picture seriously for a moment. Getting past that, though, the first half of the movie wants to be a frothy comedy while the second half shifts focus into a romantic tragedy. This jarring tonal switch is not wholly effective. By playing the first part so light, the film doesn't get us to invest in its story or characters. When things turn more serious, then, it might hold your interest but you are never emotionally involved.

I actually like the fact that Jessica Alba wanted to try a film of a more serious nature, but sadly she falls short. Half the picture, she slinks around like a playful kitten uttering lines more fitting to a modern romantic comedy than a period piece. It's so out of place as to be disconcerting, but most of the blame really falls on the script's shortcomings. For those of you purely interested in Alba as a physical specimen--there is a fair amount of sex. She does, however, contort around unbelievably so as not to show any actual skin (except for a couple of obvious body double moments). As for her believability as a Malaysian--I'll be kind and succinct and say it just doesn't work.

Hugh Dancy is far more successful as the idealistic official and Bob Hoskins and Brenda Blethyn are reliable, as always. For those looking for a really spirited romantic, exotic epic--I'd suggest Michael Mann's sublime "Last of the Mohicans." I just didn't connect with this film in the way necessary to make it really memorable. It's not a disaster, it is just unrealized potential. For me, I'm sad to say it only merits about 2 1/2 stars which I'll round up because it's pretty to look at. KGHarris, 11/06.

This is a film that had a good idea, and good execution of what the idea turned into. 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. Unfortunately, a little bit more planning would have helped. At 109 minutes, this film won't bore you, but it could have been rightfully intriguing with 20-30 minutes of good plot added. The film is carried on the sound film-making and charm of it's actors. In particular, Alba is really good. She plays the part with the seriousness it was intended, and never lets her intentionally accented English fall into 'stupid foreigner' stereotype, a tough job for many young actors and actresses who have attempted the same. Her partner, Hugh Dancy, is good enough. He channels a little bit like a scrawny Heath Ledger, but never quite gets rugged enough.

The other joy of the cast is the ever-underrated Bob Hoskins. By coincidence, I saw 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' a couple of weeks ago before watching 'Sleeping Dictionary,' and am never let down by his appearances in films. He plays a character who isn't written subtly enough; still, he acts it. The endless looks of "Damn bloody fool. Good for him, the w***er" scattered through the film isn't enough for a man of his caliber, but we'll take what we can get. Their performances are weaved together well by Writer/Director Guy Jenkin, who is making his big screen debut as a director, though his writing career goes back to the late '70's without much acclaim. Directing-wise, he knows what he is doing. The camera work is graceful and beautiful, and he compliments the fantastic elements of the story well. As a writer, well, there are things left to be desired.

Most of all, this film seems too short. The story is predictable, but it never drags. The love scenes are contrived, as is the underdeveloped climax, but that's not where the film is weak. The characters are cleverly set up to be mirrors, and the overlapping triangles are so complex they rival those brainteasers that ask 'how many triangles are in this picture?' The problem is, the most important one is never realized, because of the lack of development between Dancy and his best friend within the tribe. Without much difficulty, and a little more time, that relationship alone would have lifted this film from not quite enough to a good, if not better, movie.

As a result, you're left with a film that doesn't challenge anything because it just challenges the same old things. But it is romantic, and has much more spark than many other movies you may see of this type. This film is worth seeing.

In the not-so-distant past, young British men, fresh out of university, were sent to outposts of the Empire to practice their administrative skills on one of the many races subjugated by the British at the time. This film follows young John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) as he arrives in Sarawak (now part of Malaysia) in 1936 for his stint - he is idealistic, and full of ideas for educating and civilising the primitives. He is startled to be met by a tattooed native who speaks perfect English, and who introduces himself as Belansei (Eugene Salleh). Belansei takes him upriver, where he meets Henry Bullard (Bob Hoskins), who is governor of the district. Truscott is assigned a hut, a cook (who cooks well, but drinks heavily), and, to his surprise, a "sleeping dictionary". A sleeping dictionary, he is informed, is a young woman who will sleep with him and teach him the local language. Truscott is shocked, and upset, although he feels very attracted to Selima (Jessica Alba). He refuses to sleep with her, but offers to learn the language from her. Bullard is angry, because he is rocking the boat and refusing to follow tradition, even though this is the way things have been done for centuries.

Truscott yields to propinquity, however, and falls in love with Selima, and she with him. This love is deepened when they experience danger together. He wants to marry her, but this is forbidden by British traditions, and all manner of retribution will fall upon them should they persist. Instead, Bullard's wife, the manipulative Aggie (Brenda Blethyn), pushes him to marry her daughter Cecilia (Emily Mortimer, who plays this role in unflattering make-up so she looks plain). This doesn't make the other young British administrator, Neville Shipperly (played with superb chinless sleaze by Noah Taylor) at all happy, for he had designs upon Cecilia for himself.

Jessica Alba's acting skills are fairly limited (not that she's required to do much here), and easily surpassed by Hugh Dancy, who does a superb job of English prig on arrival, gradually learning that the Iban, and others, are people too.

This film was shot in Malaysia, and the river and jungle scenery is really quite lovely.

The love story is nicely told, set among the ugliness of British colonialism.

Jessica Alba is not the only reason to buy this DVD. Anyone who has seen Hugh Dancy in films/series like TNT's "David Copperfield" (which, sadly, is not yet on video/DVD), "Black Hawk Down", BBC's "Daniel Deronda" and the upcoming "Ella Enchanted" will no doubt want to get their hands on this DVD.

Hugh plays John Truscott, an idealistic and naive British diplomatic assigned to learn about the culture and peoples of Sarawak. There he meets and is "given" Selima (Jessica Alba) as a "guide" (his "sleeping dictionary" who teaches him a thing or two about her peoples' ways). The two fall in love and come in conflict with his responsibilities as a diplomat, the rules and mores of British society and her ethnic/tribal customs. Will love triumph over adversity and social constraints?

The cast is strong (with supporting roles by Brenda Blethyn and Bob Hoskins) and Dancy is charismatic and believable as our hero.
Jessica Alba is perhaps a weaker link but the story itself is compelling and you find yourself rooting for our hero and heroine. It is a sweet love story and Hugh Dancy is so wonderful to look at, that I find it well worth the price of the DVD just to stare at him for 2 hours (superficial, I know, but the women readers will understand).

If you enjoy this film, may I also recommend Hugh in "Daniel Deronda" (an excellent BBC period piece based on George Eliot's novel) as well as "The Bounty" starring a young Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins (which follows a similar story thread to this film).

All in all, I highly recommend "Sleeping Dictionary" and I dare any female viewers out there not to fall in love with Hugh once they've seen him in this one.

I thought this movie was interesting. Although it does have a cliche plot, it entertained me for one and half hours. I would watch it again.

I was surprised that I enjoyed the movie. Clean, well acted, unusual script.
Don't expect too much, sit back and enjoy.

The Sleeping Dictionary (Guy Jenkin, 2003)

I have to admit, I rented this for the sole purpose of seeing Jessica Alba naked (well, okay, Jessica Alba's body double naked). The fact that it had a surprisingly high-powered cast I found out later. And despite itself, the movie managed to keep me interested, so it wasn't that bad.

The time: the 1930s. The place: Borneo, the English bit. John Truscott (Ella Enchanted's Hugh Dancy) is fresh out of school and ready to civilize the barbarians. The local guv'nor (Bob Hoskins) and his wife (Little Voice's Brenda Blethyn) try to keep Truscott stiff-upper-lip British while acclimatizing him to the local customs, the oddest of them being that an Englishman's language tutor is also his bedmate-- the "sleeping dictionary" of the title. Of course, said sleeping dictionaries are to be used and left so the stiff upper etc. can go back to society and marry a proper English girl. More fool Truscott, then, for his SD is Selima (Jessica Alba), who is, well, devastatingly hot. Needless to say, his upper lip wilts relatively quickly (all the blood must have rushed off somewhere else)-- just in time to find out that the guv'nor is setting Truscott up with his daughter Cecil (Red Dragon's Emily Mortimer), whom guv desperately hopes he'll marry to keep her out of the clutches of Neville (Max's Noah Taylor), whom no one likes.

It's all got that vaguely superior "but, fatha, the natives are people just like us!" feel to it that aspires to equality and yet still retains a distinct, though faint, odor of racism-- lily-white chap learns to love the natives despite their barbaric ways and all that nonsense. Still, for mildly offensive formula filmmaking, it's at least watchable, and Truscott's stubborn refusal to let go of his naivete comes off both stupid and, in its way, charming. The characters are two-dimensional, for the most part (Hoskins' character is predictable, but at least slightly thicker than the rest of the cardboard cutouts). You could pull up the English colonials and drop in thirties superheroes, and they wouldn't really seem out of place.

Despite all this, and despite my best efforts, I found myself-- not liking it, really, but not hating it, either. I probably wouldn't watch it again, but I don't feel like demanding my money back. (Good thing, as the library doesn't charge me anything to borrow movies.) ** ½