Sleeping Dictionary

2003 • 109 minutes

About this movie

The story of a tempestuous and forbidden love affair between a young Englishman and a beautiful Iban tribeswoman. When John Truscott (Emmy Award-nominee Hugh Dancy "Black Hawk Down," "King Arthur") takes a job in the British colonial outpost of Sarawak, he is given a native servant; Selima (Golden Globe-nominee Jessica Alba "Sin City," "Fantastic Four") who teaches him the local language but also shares his bed. This accepted tradition is monitored closely by Johns crusty superior Henry Bullard (Acadeny Award-nominee Bob Hoskins "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Brazil") and his wife Aggie (Academy Award-nominee Brenda Blethyn "Atonement," "Pride & Prejudice") to ensure that no romantic attachments occur. When John and Selima fall openly and passionately in love, the colonial authorities and the native population turn against them unleashing a chain of events that test their resolve to the very limit.

Ratings and reviews

One of my favourite movies that I have watched, their love is beautiful and sacred. Sometimes if society will not accept you, you have to choose your love instead and know that this will always be most important. Definitely a must watch.

Its so lam it feels like when I watch it its like watching grass grow it's so horrible its so terribly terrible don't watch it trust me I am saving you it sucks

Good film. Disappointed that the steamy scenes were mostly filmed with a body double of Jessica Alba.