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:

borneo | colony | vomiting | three word title | urination | 

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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:

Amour interdit

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

John Truscott: [after a bad day] Sorry about this afternoon. I should've stopped her sooner. Selima... you had other lovers before me, didn't you? Did you and they have what we have?
Selima: Yes. They were men like you.
John Truscott: [He is a little surprised] I thought we had something special.
Selima: No. We fuck. That's all.
[She gets up and walks out of the room, and he goes after her]
John Truscott: Wait! You're angry. You're not telling the truth.
Selima: I'm angry! That's why I'm telling the truth! Half my blood is English. That is more that your king and ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

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Soundtracks

Mango Tango
Written by Alex Heffes

User Reviews

One of the Best Films of 2002

Although THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY is not that well known and never had a theatrical release, it is by far one of the best movies of 2002. My sister had to pursuade me to first rent, then watch this movie because the idea of a British colonial officer who falls in love with what is known as a Sleeping Dictionary...that is a native woman who sleeps with a man while teaching him the native language. Jessica Alba, who is most well known for her stint on "DARK ANGEL", deftly portrays Selima, the native sleeping dictionary for John Truscott. Hugh Dancy, who portrays John Truscott, is a young british actor who is on his way up. Dancy and Alba have chemistry, and you can hardly take your eyes off of them. The supporting cast is also excellent. Brenda Blethyn, Bob Hoskins, Emily Mortimer, Noah Taylor, Junix Inocian, and Eugene Salleh each portray their parts perfectly and add a unique flavor to the movie.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being lowest, 10 highest), I rate THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY a 10.