The Sleeping Dictionary
Price:
» » Buy this Product @ Amazon.com « «
Editorial Reviews
Description
A sexy and comic love story, set in the 1920s, about an idealistic young British colonial officer who arrives in a remote jungle outpost to find himself assigned a local beauty to sleep with him and teach him the language.
Amazon.com
Don't let the title fool you: The Sleeping Dictionary is the most seductive argument for foreign-language education a boy ever had. Hugh Dancy is a young and idealistic colonial official posted to Britain's deep-jungle Sarawak outpost in 1939, and Jessica Alba (Dark Angel) is the "sleeping dictionary," a sexy tutor who proves that the fastest way to learn a language is through lovemaking. Guy Jenkin trades in old clichés for new ones in his revision of the exotic old melodramas of forbidden love between handsome colonial men and gorgeous, guileless native girls. Alba's accent slips and slides but she's a sweet, sexy, and beguiling presence, while Bob Hoskins and Brenda Blethyn uphold the all-important appearance of British morality. If you can overlook the contrivances, it makes for a lush romantic fantasy about the triumph of love over the hypocrisy of so-called civilized society. --Sean Axmaker
Similar Products
Customer Reviews
Arnita D. Brown Said: The Sleeping Dictionary ( Mar. 14th 2010 )
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.
Ronald in Hawaii Said: A Delightful Movie. ( Jan. 4th 2010 )
A confession: I bought this movie strictly because of my attraction to Jessica Alba. That said -- after just watching Jessica in "Meet Bill" (which I rated with a single star) -- I wasn't expecting very much. I was delightfully surprised with The Sleeping Dictionary -- good casting, a better than average story, beautiful cinematography, reasonable acting and the presence of the lovely Jessica. And Hugh Dancy was marvelous as well.
A nice little love story. It will provide an evening of good entertainment.
5/5.
Randy A. Leet Said: a sleeper ( Sep. 27th 2009 )
jessica alba was good in this
a true sleeper - independent film
great setting - story - etc
Emily Hamm Said: Punctual ( Aug. 26th 2009 )
I recieved this movie around the time I expected and there was nothing wrong with it. It came to me in good condition and I am happy with my purchase.
Martin Slater Said: Review of Sleeping Dictionary ( Sep. 20th 2008 )
I thought this movie was great. Jessica Alba was perfect for the role. I can not imagine anyone that would have been more suited, or done a better job.
The movie was beautiful. The characters were believable for such an unfamliar situaion. The plot was interesting and executed perfectly.
I think Jessica Alba has not been reviewed fairly by establishment critiques. This should put all doubts to rest