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Movies / On DVD / I Dreamed of Africa
I Dreamed of Africa

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I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

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Reviews Counted:87

Fresh:8

Rotten:79

Average Rating:3.6/10

Consensus: The straightforward retelling of Kuki Gallman's life in Africa neither moves or entertains the viewer.

Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Based on the book of the same name, I DREAMED OF AFRICA is the true story of Kuki Gallman (Kim Basinger), a wealthy Italian socialite whose life changes abruptly after a near fatal car crash.... Based on the book of the same name, I DREAMED OF AFRICA is the true story of Kuki Gallman (Kim Basinger), a wealthy Italian socialite whose life changes abruptly after a near fatal car crash. Vowing to appreciate her life more deeply, she agrees to marry Paolo Gallman (Vincent Perez), a man she does not know well, and sets off with her young son, Emmanuelle (Liam Aiken), for a new life in the countryside of Kenya. A cattle ranch in the Lakipani region of Kenya becomes the Gallmans' new home, far away from the creature comforts of their posh household in Italy. Kuki is beset with the daily challenges of life in Africa, including harsh weather, dangerous animals, and the absence of her husband, who spends days away hunting with his new friends. Forced to face many challenges alone, Kuki experiences a cultural awakening, inspired by an intense and emotional connection to the land, animals, and rhythm of Africa. Finding her new purpose in life, Kuki becomes an activist for endangered African animals, most notably elephants and rhinoceroses. Her resulting battles with those opposing her ideas provide the greatest conflicts in this inspiring and lyrical film that features an impassioned performance by Basinger. Director Hugh Hudson effectively captures the breathtaking beauty of both the African landscape and the animals that Kuki dedicated her life to help save. [More]

Starring: Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Eva Marie Saint, Liam Aiken

Starring: Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Eva Marie Saint, Liam Aiken, Allison Daugherty Smith, Robert Loggia

Director: Hugh Hudson

Director: Hugh Hudson
Screenwriter: Paula Milne, Susan Shilliday
Producer: Stanley R. Jaffe, Allyn Stewart
Composer: Maurice Jarre

[See More Credits]

Reviews for I Dreamed of Africa

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

This astonishingly awful film is a study in how a film can go terribly wrong from concept to execution.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
10/17/07
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinemaphile.org | comment Comment
03/10/07
David Keyes
David Keyes
Cinemaphile.org

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

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
02/26/07
Lisa Alspector
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader

There's some good work from Basinger and solid (but also bland) techs and not too much else.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

A production like this deserves better scriptwriters and a better leading player.

Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

You should avoid this film and take a trip to the zoo instead.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Chris Gore
Chris Gore
Film Threat

Shockingly boring and stupifyingly umoving.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Susannah Breslin
Susannah Breslin
Film Threat

Ms. Basinger clearly relished the chance to throw herself into a character who endures many emotional extremities, though the joy and happiness she professes to find in Africa is not much in evidence.

Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
03/24/02
Boston Phoenix

It hasn't any rhythm at all, just a string of downbeats and a hackneyed old tune that equates mere survival with heroism.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
03/19/02
Liam Lacey
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail

The writing itself is a bit immature, What the film does best is depict the unpredictable rhythm and dangerous allure of Africa.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
09/16/01
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

Gallmann now is a respected conservationist in Kenya. Fine. Good for her. But in this case, not so good for us.

Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
09/10/01
Glenn Kenny
Glenn Kenny
Premiere Magazine

A beautiful travelogue and a squandered opportunity.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
07/24/01
Christabel Padmore
Christabel Padmore
Apollo Guide

It's beautifully photographed and well directed by Hugh Hudson, but the script is flimsy.

Full Review Source: Movieline | comment Comment
04/17/01
Stephen Farber
Stephen Farber
Movieline

Kim Basinger does white woman's burden in this post-colonialist biopic yawner.

Full Review Source: filmgazette.com | comment Comment
04/09/01
Prairie Miller
Prairie Miller
filmgazette.com

In the film, it feels more like Gallmann is simply tolerating her life in Africa rather than embracing it, and the disparity between those two positions makes all the difference in the world.

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

If the film had shown the actors getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, it would have been more convincing. That's real nature.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
01/01/01
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ebert & Roeper

Beautiful landscape photography aside, do we really care about a single mother so out of it she marries a man more in love with hunting wild game than with her?

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
E! Online
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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