I Dreamed of Africa (2000) - Rotten Tomatoes

critics consensus

The straightforward retelling of Kuki Gallman's life in Africa neither moves or entertains the viewer. Read critic reviews

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I Dreamed of Africa Photos

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

Nothing in his privileged Italian upbringing could have prepared Paolo (Vincent Perez) for the devastating, destructive wind storms and other challenges of Africa in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Despite the initial hazards and imposing nature of this strange land, Africa comes to open its arms to Kuki (Kim Basinger), Emanuele (Liam Aiken) and her family in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Kim Basinger (left) stars as Kuki Gallmann (right), whose brave move to Africa inspired her passion for wildlife conservation, in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Kuki Gallmann (Kim Basinger) is a daughter of privilege who moves from Italy to the wilds of Africa with her new husband, Paolo (Vincent Perez, left) and young son Emanuele (Liam Aiken)

Kim Basinger is Kuki Gallman in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Director Hugh Hudson and star Kim Basinger discuss a scene during the South Africa-based filming of Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Vincent Perez stars as Paolo Gallmann, Kuki's charismatic husband and partner in this daring adventure in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Kuki (Kim Basinger) struggles to let her equally passionate and adventurous son Emanuele (Garrett Strommen) develop into an independent man in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Kim Basinger is Kuki Gallman in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

Having promised him to do something good and make a new start, Kuki (Kim Basinger) toils to make Kenya feel like home to her young son, Emanuele (Liam Aiken)

Vincent Perez and Kim Basinger in Columbia's I Dreamed Of Africa

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Movie Info

Inspired by the true story of indomitable Kuki Gallmann, the film tells of a beautiful and inquisitive woman who had the courage to escape from her comfortable yet monotonous life in Italy to start anew in the African wilderness with her son, Emanuele, and her new husband, Paolo. Gallmann faces great danger there but eventually becomes a celebrated conservationist.

Rating:

PG-13 (Traumatic Episodes|Sensuality|Nudity|Violence)
Genre:

drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Hugh Hudson
Producer:

Stanley R. Jaffe, Allyn Stewart
Release Date (Theaters):

May 5, 2000 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA):

$6.5M
Runtime:

1h 54m
Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Jaffilms
Sound Mix:

SDDS, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Kim Basinger
Kuki Gallmann

Vincent Perez
Paolo Gallmann

Liam Aiken
Emanuele Gallman

Garrett Strommen
Emanuele at 17

Eva Marie Saint
Franca

Daniel Craig
Declan Fielding

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Critic Reviews for I Dreamed of Africa

All Critics (101) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (91)

I Dreamed of Africa boasts the majestic landscapes and wildlife that explain why anyone would be spellbound by the place. But the story is fitfully episodic and the jerky editing doesn't help a bit.

July 23, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Desmond Ryan
Philadelphia Inquirer
It's neither epic enough to fulfill a grand scope, nor intimate enough to be an overpowering emotional experience.

July 23, 2014 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Paul West
Seattle Times
This film, based on a true story, transcends its handsomeness to present a subtle portrait of a woman's growing consciousness.

July 23, 2014 | Full Review…

Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
In the opening segment of I Dreamed Of Africa, Kim Basinger breaks her leg. The rest of the film is so dull, you can almost hear the bone heal.

July 23, 2014 | Full Review…

Keith Phipps
AV Club
Basinger's performance is exceptional. She brings a raw, unselfconscious drive to the role that holds the film together, even while Hudson keeps it hopscotching across time.

July 23, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Jack Mathews
New York Daily News
Kim Basinger, as Kuki, is attractive and touching, but she's given one unplayable scene after another.

July 23, 2014

Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal
I Dreamed of Africa fails on so many levels that it's hard to even give it credit for the one area in which it excels.

July 23, 2014 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Paula Farmer
Metro Times (Detroit, MI)
It's very similar in story and theme to Out Of Africa but lacks that film's grandeur and real sense of what makes the heroine love the country.

July 23, 2014 | Full Review…

Mike Goodridge
Screen International
Given contemporary African issues, the film doesn't ring true or do anything beyond skate over a familiar and all-too melodramatic surface.

July 23, 2014 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Lorien Haynes
Radio Times
Here's hoping your own dreams of Africa are more interesting -- and better acted -- than this movie.

July 23, 2014 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…

Chris Kaltenbach
Baltimore Sun
Director Hugh Hudson gives us a Kenya that is dusty, bleak and generally unappealing. Rarely has a movie about Africa aroused so few feelings of escapism.

July 23, 2014 | Full Review…

George Meyer
Orlando Weekly
This flawed film carries within it a rich and complex performance from Basinger.

July 23, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Serena Donadoni
Metro Times (Detroit, MI)

View All Critic Reviews (101)

Audience Reviews for I Dreamed of Africa

Feb 18, 2015

I don't think this was the best movie. It lacked in the story department as well as acting. Although it did have great landscapes, it still fails to impress.

Jarrin R Super Reviewer
Jan 12, 2009

The scenery and Vincent Perez were worth a look. I've never seen Garrett Strommen, or at least I don't remember. And that's odd because he is HOT! I've read that it stays rather true to the actual story.

April N Super Reviewer
May 28, 2008

Kim Basinger was excellent in this. The whole film is wonderfully exotic and beautifully shot.

Sunil J Super Reviewer
Mar 08, 2007

This true drama based on the memoirs of Kuki Gallmann was so emotionally and sadly when she got homestead on a farm in Africa with her new husband and young son.

Dean M Super Reviewer

See all Audience reviews

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