The Sleeping Dictionary
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Movie Reviews of The Sleeping Dictionary
Movie Review: Inter-ethnic love was forever impossible in colonial Britain
Summary: 4 Stars
The English will go on harping on their colonial past for quite many decades still. That past is for them a source of guilt and they cannot erase it or even alleviate it enough to accept it as past and no longer that pregnant with meaning. In this case we are in Sarawak. A young British officer is provided with a native woman who is supposed to teach him the local language in bed. But this is absolutely secret and even denied, even among people who actually know. The young officer of course is supposed to take advantage of the situation then marry a good English girl to abide by his national duty. And that's it. The film of course takes the case in which the young officer falls in love with the girl. Rejection, fake accusations, everything will be used to force the English officer to do his duty, and to get the native girl and other natives out of the way. And yet the film moves forward onto a rather sentimentalese ending that avoids the tragic force it could have had. It also avoids really discovering the native surrounding culture that remains anecdotal, exotic and rather simplified in feelings. Apart from that it is a rewriting of Romeo and Juliet but with the happy ending of an escape into the wilderness. Furthermore, the film points out the real negative dimension of this colonialism : to force a foreign culture, a foreign language and even a foreign life style onto people who should have been able to righteously keep their language, their culture and their life style and evolve from what could appear as a primitive civilization to a more advanced state but on their own logic and dynamic. No one has the right to force any people to adopt a mode of thinking and a life style that does not come from their own heritage and tradition.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Paris Dauphine & University of Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne
Movie Review: Lush scenery and story make up for acting performances
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Who do you choose to love?
Summary: 4 Stars
The setting of colonial Sarawak Malaysia of the late 1930s is the turbulent and fertile ground that yields a classic tale of a love that will not be denied. The environment and social structures that are the framework of this narrative are displayed in all their aspects: the natural glory, innocence, and harshness of Southeast Asia as well as the shame, abuse, and idealism of European colonialism. When cultures collide, there are (at least) sparks. And sparks there are between Selima and John - what a beautiful couple! Add to the mix a setting that could be the Garden of Eden, and you have a volatile brew!
This potent combination is not unique, however. Yet what it points out, in a very satisfying way, is that true and legitimate love does not necessarily have to follow the rigid rules of society, religion, or tradition. One of the truly wonderful aspects of a story such as this is that it reminds us (those of us with open minds) that there is more - much more - than is dreamt of in our provincial philosophies.
What are you defined by? Who do you love? And who decides - you or someone else?
Choose.
Movie Review: The Sleeping Dictionary
Summary: 4 Stars
In the rainforests of Boreno in the 1930s, English officer John Truscott accepts a position to colonize 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. 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 and his wife, Aggie. When Selima and John fall madly in love, they enrage both the colonizers and the colonized. "The Sleeping Dictionary" a good romance movie, with action and drama and a story of difference of cultures, seduction and secrets. Jessica Alba and Hugh Dancy have stunning performances, showing a delightful chemistry. A classic love vs tradition story, it is what it is and nothing more but for a movie of this type that's all it should be and that's all it tries to be.
Movie Review: Hugh Dancy creates high expectations for girls to have...
Summary: 4 Stars
I admit it, I am secretly in love with Hugh Dancy and he is one of the sole reasons I rented this movie. I also enjoy Jessica Alba's acting but my primary reasoning was to see a movie in which Hugh Dancy was the lead. Right away I was drawn into this movie, sometimes I don't understand why certain movies are direct to DVD films and this is one of them. The acting is great, Jessica and Hugh have great chemistry, the setting is beautiful and the storyline is very star-crossed lover based. At first Hugh's character wants nothing to do with Jessica's character, he doesn't believe in their traditions, thinks himself a proper gentleman and Jessica Alba's character finds him to be ignorant and their is mutual distain for one another. But of course as he learns from her he falls in love with her and vice versa. As in all good love stories they are forbidden to be together. I really liked this movie being a romantic at heart and I will be soon adding this movie to my collection.