6.5
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)
The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)
Overview
In the 1930s, British officer John Truscott journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he's introduced to the lovely Selima. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with Truscott and teach him the native language and customs. But when they fall in love, both colonists and natives object to their plans to marry.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Christianity: Negative
Viewer Rating
6.5
Overview
In the 1930s, British officer John Truscott journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he's introduced to the lovely Selima. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with Truscott and teach him the native language and customs. But when they fall in love, both colonists and natives object to their plans to marry.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film's central critique of British colonialism and its championing of indigenous culture and cross-cultural love against racial prejudice align its dominant themes with progressive values, leading to a left-leaning rating.
The movie features visible diversity in its lead casting, with a non-white actress portraying a native character in a colonial setting. The narrative, while primarily a romance, subtly addresses themes related to colonial power dynamics and cultural differences, offering an indirect critique of traditional identities within its historical context.
Secondary
The film critiques the rigid, implicitly Christian-influenced moral framework of the British colonizers, portraying it as hypocritical and oppressive in its condemnation of forbidden love and indigenous customs.
The film 'The Sleeping Dictionary' does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Its narrative centers on a forbidden heterosexual romance between a British colonial officer and an indigenous woman in 1930s Sarawak, without exploring queer identities or experiences.
The film 'The Sleeping Dictionary' does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. The narrative focuses on a romantic drama set in colonial Sarawak, exploring cultural differences and forbidden love between a British officer and an Iban woman, without any elements related to transgender identity.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Sleeping Dictionary is an original screenplay, not an adaptation of existing source material, a biopic, or a reboot. All characters were created for this film, meaning there are no pre-established characters whose gender could have been swapped.
The film features original characters, including Selima, an Iban woman portrayed by Jessica Alba. As Selima is a new character created for the film, there is no prior canonical or historically established race to be swapped from, aligning with the exclusion criteria.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.5
6.4
Critic Ratings
N/A
N/A
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