The Sleeping Dictionary

2003
R
1h 49m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

9.4K

YOUR RATING

Jessica Alba and Hugh Dancy in The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)

Play trailer2:26

1 Video

90 Photos

Tragic Romance Drama Romance

A young Englishman is sent to Malaysian Borneo in the 1930s to stay with a tribe as UK's colonial representative. A local woman (J.Alba) helps him understand local tradition and language. He... Read allA young Englishman is sent to Malaysian Borneo in the 1930s to stay with a tribe as UK's colonial representative. A local woman (J.Alba) helps him understand local tradition and language. He falls in love with her etc. despite the taboo.A young Englishman is sent to Malaysian Borneo in the 1930s to stay with a tribe as UK's colonial representative. A local woman (J.Alba) helps him understand local tradition and language. He falls in love with her etc. despite the taboo.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

9.4K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 4 wins & 6 nominations

Videos1

Trailer 2:26

Watch The Sleeping Dictionary

Photos90

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Jessica Alba had a body double for her sex scenes.

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.

Quotes
John Truscott: [In a letter to Cecil] Sharing is so much a part of their life that they have no word for "thank you".

Connections
Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

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

User reviews58

Review

Featured review

Five Star ++

'The Sleeping Dictionary' directed by Guy Jenkin just came to a Video store in my neighborhood (February 2003). It is one of the best movies I have seen...I rate it in the top 10 on my list of Romance/Drama. This film has terrific director- ship, meaning that the plot moves smoothly, is highly coherent, and suspenseful with timely revelations. The acting is first class...you like who you are supposed to and don't. I enjoyed seeing a film with real settings...jungle scenes & environs. I look forward to seeing future Guy Jenkins films. Even the music is excellent: it is fully supportive but one doesn't notice it. This is about the best compliment I can give to a music score for a movie in the Romance/Drama category. (too many movies have distracting music or volume with effect that fogs the plot impact). There is some violence, upper nudity, harsh language and death issues so restrict your young viewers as per choice. 'The Sleeping Dictionary' is a video I will purchase. Very few directors achieve this level of perfection so I put this film in the Artistic Category, not simply Entertainment. Give Director Mr. Jenkins top awards, Members. Thank you, JW.