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The Sleeping Dictionary

Play trailer Poster for The Sleeping Dictionary R 2003 1h 49m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
During the 1930s, British officer John Truscott journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he is introduced to Selima, a lovely Iban woman. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with John and teach him the native language and customs. But when they begin to fall in love, both the colonists and the natives object to their plans to marry.
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The Sleeping Dictionary

Critics Reviews

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Robert Pardi TV Guide 04/23/2008
2.5/4
If your taste runs to palm fronds and moonlit rendezvous, you might enjoy this impeccably produced bit of kitsch. Go to Full Review Christopher Null Filmcritic.com 11/01/2005
2.5/5
I can't say much for the wandering storyline... Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 07/08/2003
C-
A rather stiff soap opera romantic-melodrama. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alya N @RT77301195 03/13/2025 Lovely, they do everything for their love See more Harold P @RT96666532 07/06/2023 A good story about a forbidden love with good plot twist not too cliche and is very well written. See more 03/10/2020 Wuu~... Exotic Borneo See more 11/28/2016 This was an interesting film. At first, it seemed like a predictable, forbidden love story and at many times it was. However, there were some plot twists that makes one unsure of which way the story will go, and for this reason it is worth watching. See more 06/01/2014 Dancy and Alba were great together in this movie. I don't know if there is any basis in reality supporting this plot, but it made for a good story. The ending was beautiful and very satisfying after all their trials to be together. See more 07/08/2013 if you are Jessica alba fan, you should see this. See more Read all reviews
The Sleeping Dictionary

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Cast & Crew

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Andrew Niccol

Director

Hugh Dancy

John Truscott

Jessica Alba

Selima

Brenda Blethyn

Aggie

Bob Hoskins

Henry

Emily Mortimer

Cecil
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The Sleeping Dictionary

The Sleeping Dictionary (2003) The Sleeping Dictionary (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the 1930s, British officer John Truscott journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he is introduced to Selima, a lovely Iban woman. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with John and teach him the native language and customs. But when they begin to fall in love, both the colonists and the natives object to their plans to marry.
Director
Andrew Niccol
Producer
Andrew Niccol
Screenwriter
Andrew Niccol
Production Co
New Line Cinema, Jersey Films
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2008
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Surround