Academy
Award® winner Kim Basinger and Academy Award®-nominated director Hugh
Hudson team in I DREAMED OF AFRICA, a fierce, passionate love story about
the universal desire to discover adventure, lose one's inhibitions and
meet the challenges of life, told against the magnificent backdrop of
Africa's mythical beauty and unsolvable mystery.
I DREAMED OF AFRICA is inspired by the true story of the indomitable
Kuki Gallmann, a beautiful, inquisitive woman who had the courage to
escape from her comfortable yet monotonous life in Italy to start anew in
the wilds of Africa with her son Emanuele (Liam Aiken, Stepmom) and her
new husband Paolo (Vincent Perez).
J.L.
score = 80
While I find Ebert's review of this film intelligent as always, I'm
disappointed with all of the negative assessments of the story as slow and
unmoving. Is that not supposed to be the point? Not all life
tales can be easily condensed into a two-hour plot. I think American
culture is deficient when we can no longer sit still through a two-hour
look at an actual person's life and not feel bored because we are not
entertained by explosions, car chases, snappy one-liners and juvenile
intrigue. As far as lame plots go, I've seen absolute crap turned
out by directors like John Woo, which nonetheless have some entertainment
value because of special effects, translated "unreality."
In I Dreamed of Africa, the effects are real, the landscape really exists,
and if sitting through it requires calmness and patience, then that is the
lesson to be learned. If you didn't like this movie, that is your
prerogative, but try to at least respect the film on its own merits.
Personally, I found it fascinating, beautiful & moving, as well as
thoroughly entertaining. I saw and liked Gladiator also, but for
different reasons, and if you're going to the one expecting to see the
other, that is your problem, not that of the scriptwriters'.
emily austin
score = None
It was a very beautiful and inspiring movie. Despite the tragedies
that occurred to Kuki Gallmann, the movie is a must see. If for no
other reason than to realize that even in tragedy one can go on living and
living enthusiastically if one determines to use pain and turn it into
good for the benefit of the larger community. It helps one to go on.
Kathy Morris
score = 80
Yes the seams of the movie were loosely woven but if you use a bit of your
own wits to hold it together you are rewarded with the story of a
courageous woman and a beautiful continent and the talents of Kim Basinger.
Nice reward!
