The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)

John Truscott goes to Borneo to work with the Iban. He reports to Henry Bullard, who gives him a "sleeping dictionary"--one of the locals who teaches him the local language and culture. And... See full summary »

Director:

Guy Jenkin

Writer:

Guy Jenkin

Stars:

Jessica Alba, Brenda Blethyn, Hugh Dancy

4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Alba	...	Selima
Brenda Blethyn	...	Aggie
Hugh Dancy	...	John Truscott
Bob Hoskins	...	Henry
Christopher Ling Lee Ian	...	Jasmine
Junix Inocian	...	Famous
Michael Jessing Langgi	...	Melaka
Mano Maniam	...	Policeman
K.K. Moggie	...	Tipong
Emily Mortimer	...	Cecil
Cicilia Anak Richard	...	Jester Woman
Malcolm Rogers	...	Vicar
Eugene Salleh	...	Belansai
Noah Taylor	...	Neville
Kate Helen White	...	Mandar

Storyline

John Truscott goes to Borneo to work with the Iban. He reports to Henry Bullard, who gives him a "sleeping dictionary"--one of the locals who teaches him the local language and culture. And who he gives John is Selima. And while teaching him, John finds himself attracted to her. And we says it's not allowed, both the locals and Bullard forbid him to be in a relationship with Selima. But he defies them which has dire consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

colony | love | cigarette smoking | spear | wood carving | 

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Taglines:

Learn to speak her language.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line Features Article

Country:

USA Malaysia Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 2003 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Kärlekens lexikon

Filming Locations:

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fine Line Features, Katira Productions GmbH & Co. KG, New Line Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film used more than 600 Iban extras.

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Goofs

When Selima and Truscott are given the turquoise bracelets, she takes Truscott's off and wears it. In the next shot, she gives him hers but she's still holding his.

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Quotes

Selima: You won't come! They'll say you're an Englishman!
John Truscott: Then I'll tell them I'd rather have you than a country... or a language... or a history.

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Connections

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

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Soundtracks

"East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon)"
Written by Brooks Bowman
Performed by Mary Carewe

User Reviews

A Classic Love vs Tradition Story

I watched this film after reading the reviews made by others here and i have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it even if I am, outwardly, the perfect example of emotionally repressed male.

Firstly, it isn't going to win Oscars for anything really but that really isn't the point at all and nor should it be. It's a gentle, almost passive, love story that focuses in on the characters but uses their respective backgrounds and the limitations of their society's expectations as a character in its own right. All set in a time and place sufficiently remote to suspend disbelief, but close enough, to enable the viewer to relate.

It's well written, directed, filmed and acted with the actors delivering more than adequate performances that are sufficient to actually care what happens to them.

For the repressed male, like me, who is considering watching this film out of duty to his girlfriend, don't be disheartened you will most likely enjoy it if you allow yourself to. If nothing else the lovely Jessica Alba continues to enchant the male audience with nothing but her screen presence and in some scenes her lack of clothes.

For the female and non-repressed males, I recommend this film to you, not as classic but a sweet, enchanting and humorous love story. You will no doubt only watch the film once but then repeated viewings will add little.

It is what it is and nothing more but for a film of this type that's all it should be and that's all it tries to be.

For this reason and this reason only I gave this film 9/10 for they achieved what they set out to achieve