I Dreamed of Africa

New York Daily News Jack Mathews

Despite the movie's dramatic weaknesses, I was spellbound by the images.

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.

Philadelphia Inquirer Desmond Ryan

Consist of little more than people arguing or clambering in and out of dusty Land Rovers.

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.

Time Richard Schickel

This film, based on a true story, transcends its handsomeness to present a subtle portrait of a woman's growing consciousness.

Portland Oregonian Diana Abu-Jaber

Basinger herself doesn't have the vibrancy of a female hero.

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.

Chicago Tribune Marc Caro

Doesn't have much plot. It just sort of meanders around like a wildebeest playing Blind Man's Bluff.

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.

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.

Miami Herald Phoebe Flowers

A wisp of a movie that dissipates the moment you leave the theater.

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.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Ends up a nightmare of a star vehicle.

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

Surprisingly dull and predictable in its characterizations.

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.

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?

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.

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."

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

Ultimately the movie is alluring and respectful--its sadness may be what saves it from becoming sensationalist or trite.

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.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

The story the film tells ruins the movie.

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.

TNT RoughCut Susannah Breslin

A fabulous movie if you are a woman over 40 who likes to use the word "empowered" a lot.

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.

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

Here's hoping your own dreams of Africa are more interesting -- and better acted -- than this movie.

Variety Emanuel Levy

Visually gratifying but dramatically weak, the film falls short of its aspiration to be a sweeping romantic epic.

Dallas Observer Jean Oppenheimer

A wobbly Basinger and a feeble screenplay doom I Dreamed of Africa.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

I Dreamed Of Africa...and all I got was this lousy movie.

Village Voice Dennis Lim

Hudson keeps the movie rambling and episodic, deferring to the imposing backdrop whenever possible.

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.