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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
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I Dreamed of Africa
Sony Pictures Entertainment
MPAA RATING: PG-13 for a scene of nudity/sensuality and some violent/traumatic episodes
Starring
Kim Basinger,
Vincent Perez,
and
Eva Marie Saint
Based on the story of a privileged Italian woman named Kuki Gallmann, who lives with her young son and new husband on a 100,000-acre cattle ranch called Ol Ari Nyiro in Africa.
| GENRE(S): |
Drama
|
| WRITTEN BY: |
Kuki Gallmann (book)
Paula Milne
Susan Shilliday
|
| DIRECTED BY: |
Hugh Hudson
|
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: August 29, 2000
Video: August 29, 2000
Theatrical: May 5, 2000
|
| RUNNING TIME: |
114 minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: |
USA |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
75
New York Daily News
Jack Mathews
Despite the movie's dramatic weaknesses, I was spellbound by the images.
67
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
William Arnold
Far from a great movie, it nonetheless does its job as a family adventure and saga of a woman's personal growth.
63
Philadelphia Inquirer
Desmond Ryan
Consist of little more than people arguing or clambering in and out of dusty Land Rovers.
60
TV Guide
Maitland McDonagh
Though beautifully acted by Basinger (everyone else is relegated to a supporting role), there's a strange vagueness to much of this sumptuous, stunningly photographed melodrama.
60
Time
Richard Schickel
This film, based on a true story, transcends its handsomeness to present a subtle portrait of a woman's growing consciousness.
50
Portland Oregonian
Diana Abu-Jaber
Basinger herself doesn't have the vibrancy of a female hero.
50
Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert
There is a lack of drama and telling detail. When events happen, they seem more like set pieces than part of the flow.
50
Chicago Tribune
Marc Caro
Doesn't have much plot. It just sort of meanders around like a wildebeest playing Blind Man's Bluff.
50
San Francisco Examiner
Wesley Morris
Frill-less almost to the point of minimalist, teary without being lachrymose, hers is a performance you'd think was great were the movie in a language you didn't understand.
50
Charlotte Observer
Lawrence Toppman
Like the star's acting, the movie is bland, full of good intentions and generally as stiff as a fireplace poker.
50
Miami Herald
Phoebe Flowers
A wisp of a movie that dissipates the moment you leave the theater.
50
USA Today
Susan Wloszczyna
While Basinger admirably invests her role with deep passion and looks splendid in her Kenya khakis, the true story she stars in is disappointingly tame and dramatically inert.
50
New York Post
Lou Lumenick
Ends up a nightmare of a star vehicle.
50
San Francisco Chronicle
Peter Stack
Surprisingly dull and predictable in its characterizations.
40
LA Weekly
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
There's little room for Kuki to evolve into anything approaching an actual character, and it would take an actress far greater than Basinger, who gives it her all, to make something of the role.
39
Mr. Showbiz
Kevin Maynard
Why waste the price of a movie ticket when you can see wildebeests cavorting for free from the comfort of your own recliner?
33
Entertainment Weekly
Lisa Schwarzbaum
A recitation of woes doesn't constitute a plot, and panoramic shots of migrating wildlife don't convey enough African flavor.
30
Rolling Stone
Peter Travers
Plods along in the Oscar-winning, yawn-inducing tradition of "Out of Africa," making me yearn for something less "National Geographic."
30
Chicago Reader
Lisa Alspector
Ultimately the movie is alluring and respectful--its sadness may be what saves it from becoming sensationalist or trite.
30
Film.com
Robert Horton
There is no obvious reason for the film's meandering existence: it's a series of beautifully photographed postcards of Africa.
30
Washington Post
Stephen Hunter
The story the film tells ruins the movie.
30
The New York Times
Stephen Holden
Advance word of mouth has suggested that Ms. Basinger...turns in a performance comparable to Meryl Streep's in "Out of Africa." Would that it were so. Ms. Basinger certainly works hard at her role.
30
TNT RoughCut
Susannah Breslin
A fabulous movie if you are a woman over 40 who likes to use the word "empowered" a lot.
25
Christian Science Monitor
David Sterritt
The story is inspirational in a superficial way, but the filmmakers focus so exclusively on their attractive heroine that the picture loses any real connection with Africa.
25
Baltimore Sun
Chris Kaltenbach
Here's hoping your own dreams of Africa are more interesting -- and better acted -- than this movie.
20
Variety
Emanuel Levy
Visually gratifying but dramatically weak, the film falls short of its aspiration to be a sweeping romantic epic.
20
Dallas Observer
Jean Oppenheimer
A wobbly Basinger and a feeble screenplay doom I Dreamed of Africa.
20
Austin Chronicle
Marc Savlov
I Dreamed Of Africa...and all I got was this lousy movie.
20
Village Voice
Dennis Lim
Hudson keeps the movie rambling and episodic, deferring to the imposing backdrop whenever possible.
20
Los Angeles Times
Kenneth Turan
This is a Laura Ashley on Safari meditation on bored rich people searching for fulfillment and a new life among the photogenic wildlife of Kenya. Just wake me when it's over.
 The average user rating for this movie is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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