It's 1936 Sarawak. Idealistic Englishman John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) arrives looking to civilize the supposed primitive Iban society. Henry Bullard (Bob Hoskins) is the governor and Aggie (Brenda Blethyn) is his wife. He is given a "sleeping dictionary" in Selima (Jessica Alba) who performs wifely duties as well as teaching him the language and culture. His first job is to retrieve heads of Chinese miners from the tribe to appease the tension with commercial interests. They are joined by Bullard daughter Cecilia (Emily Mortimer).
This is a fine old fashion romantic adventure although somewhat melodramatic. Jessica Alba strikes such a shocking figure that she takes me out of the picture at first. She looks nothing like everybody else in the tribe. There is an explanation but it comes much later. Hugh is a fine dandy Englishman. The actors are great. This sorta works.
This is a fine old fashion romantic adventure although somewhat melodramatic. Jessica Alba strikes such a shocking figure that she takes me out of the picture at first. She looks nothing like everybody else in the tribe. There is an explanation but it comes much later. Hugh is a fine dandy Englishman. The actors are great. This sorta works.