Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- romantic
- intimate
- foreboding
- romantic drama night
- period film viewing
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Truscott and Selima pursue a relationship prohibited by both Henry Bullard and the surrounding colonial and local power structures.
John arrives as a colonial employee and learns Iban language and customs through Selima, whose position is constrained by the same system.
The Borneo setting separates the lovers from familiar institutions while making colonial authority unusually intimate and coercive.
Selima teaches John language and culture, but their attraction becomes increasingly perilous as explicit rules forbid their relationship.
Films like The Sleeping Dictionary, and why
Out of Africa
forbidden romance, colonial-era setting, and lush dramatic atmosphere
The Painted Veil
period forbidden love shaped by social hierarchy and cultural barriers
A Passage to India
romantic drama set amid colonial power structures and political tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Guy Jenkin
- Release Date
- 2003-01-31
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (197)
Cast
- Jessica Alba
- Brenda Blethyn
- Hugh Dancy
- Bob Hoskins
- Junix Inocian
- Mano Maniam
- K.K. Moggie
- Emily Mortimer
- Noah Taylor
- Christopher Ling Lee Ian
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Sleeping Dictionary about?
- In colonial Borneo, a young British language learner risks everything for a forbidden relationship with the Iban woman assigned to teach him.
- What is The Sleeping Dictionary like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Sleeping Dictionary as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Sleeping Dictionary violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Sleeping Dictionary as mild.
- Which films are like The Sleeping Dictionary?
- Films with a similar feel include Out of Africa, The Painted Veil, and A Passage to India.
- How long is The Sleeping Dictionary?
- The Sleeping Dictionary runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Sleeping Dictionary?
- In United States, The Sleeping Dictionary is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
