This astonishingly awful film is a study in how a film can go terribly wrong from concept to execution.
I Dreamed of Africa (2000)
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins
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. Vowing to appreciate her life more deeply, she agrees to marry Paolo Gallman (Vincent Perez), a man she... 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]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Eva Marie Saint, Liam Aiken, Allison Daugherty Smith
Screenwriter: Paula Milne, Susan Shilliday
Producer: Stanley R. Jaffe, Allyn Stewart
Composer: Maurice Jarre
DVD Info
Release:
May 8, 2002
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
- Dual Side - Single Layer
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
- Making-of - 1. HBO On Location
- Isolated Audio Track - 1. Score
Interactive Features:
- Scene Access
- Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Biographies - 1. Cast & Crew
Additional Products:
- Booklet
Reviews
Ultimately the movie is alluring and respectful -- its sadness may be what saves it from becoming sensationalist or trite.
There's some good work from Basinger and solid (but also bland) techs and not too much else.
A production like this deserves better scriptwriters and a better leading player.
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.
It hasn't any rhythm at all, just a string of downbeats and a hackneyed old tune that equates mere survival with heroism.
The writing itself is a bit immature, What the film does best is depict the unpredictable rhythm and dangerous allure of Africa.
Gallmann now is a respected conservationist in Kenya. Fine. Good for her. But in this case, not so good for us.
It's beautifully photographed and well directed by Hugh Hudson, but the script is flimsy.
Kim Basinger does white woman's burden in this post-colonialist biopic yawner.
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.
If the film had shown the actors getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, it would have been more convincing. That's real nature.
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?
This truth-based account of the life of Italian environmentalist Kuki Gallmann is astonishingly bereft of dramatic momentum.
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by: Izzy 10/30/00

