I Dreamed Of Africa Details

2000

Rated:
60
from 525 members

Starring	Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Daniel Craig
Director	Hugh Hudson
Genres	Drama

Sign up I Dreamed Of Africa DVD

Buy From: £4.93

I Dreamed Of Africa

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.

Starring	Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Daniel Craig
Director	Hugh Hudson
Studio	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time	DVD: 1 hr 50 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama
Language	DVD: English
Dubbed	German
Subtitles	DVD: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Turkish
Released	DVD: 05 Feb 2001 Production year: 2000
Format	DVD

Critics' reviews (5) of I Dreamed Of Africa
View all
Kim Basinger needed a hit after winning an Oscar for LA Confidential, not this major box-office dud. Although she valiantly holds her own as real-life African conservationist Kuki Gallmann, Hugh Hudson's direction sadly fails to support her efforts, never hammering home any political aspect beyond the stunning South African scenery. Basinger and husband Vincent Perez move from Italy to Kenya in the early seventies, but end up arguing about the amount of time he spends away from home on hunting expeditions. And when she's not furiously throwing pasta shapes at him, Kim's wrestling with their teenage son and the visits of her disapproving mother (Eve Marie Saint). Given contemporary African issues, the film doesn't ring true or do anything beyond skate over a familiar and all-too melodramatic surface.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...[Basinger] manages to be as vibrantly filled with beauty, tragedy and hope as the African continent which she struggles to make her home..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
- Box Office
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Most helpful member's review of I Dreamed Of Africa
View all
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

What went wrong?

Reading the book 'I Dreamed of Africa' is an adventure. It is a trip through Kenya, but also through every single emotion a human body possesses. Kuki Gallman is gifted when it comes to describing the characters in her life in depth.

That is exactly what is lacking in the movie: DEPTH. Was it the actors? No, I don't think so.

Was it the Director? Yes, I do think so. To me it looked as though the Director was in a hurry to get all the scenes recorded as soon as possible, grabbing bits from every chapter of the book. There is no eye for the essence. The feeling behind all that happens in Kuki's life.

I was disappointed and I wish I would have never seen the movie. I am wondering what Kuki Gallman thinks herself?
- - Christianne van Wijk from St. Davids, Wales
  - Posted 18 Dec 2003 17:09
Most recent members' review of I Dreamed Of Africa
View all
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

I love Kenya, but...

Oh dear.

Kims character Kuki suffers a broken leg in a car accident. She is a divorced mother of a little boy, and gets it on with an attractive guy who was a member of the group of friends in the accident. As a new start they decide to go to Kenya. (As you do on a whim).

Once in Kenya they settle in their individual ways to a new life, but it becomes fraught with struggles,and loss, with some very sad moments. Based on a real womans life, who was genuinely a tough 'Kuki'. Daniel Craig is excellent, with a convincing accent as a family friend. Vincent Perez as Kuki's husband Paulo is dashingly handsome but as a husband Im afraid I would smack him with something hard for being so selfish.

They go and live in a dilapidated ranch, complete with 2 locals hanging around ready as staff, and get it back to its former glory.

Very disjointed story telling though. You could tell it was lifted from a book, as they tried faithfully to portray this brave womans life. There was little background as to why the story started in Venice. Who the european people were they met in Kenya. It was as though each chapter of the book was portrayed in sub sections that didnt flow. The move from Venice to Kenya was poorly introduced with no discussion of what they were about to do , or live on.

The shots of Kenya were beautiful, and I love Kenya, but this didnt do it justice. The whole thing was working too hard like a channel 5 afternoon film. The gushing instrumental strings to add effect to the majesty of the countryside were almost comical. It improved once the african music was matched to the scenes.

For quite a while on their arrival you wonder what on earth they are there to do, until eventually someone turns up with cattle, and you realise how they must be making a living. For me that needed explaining, as you cant just turn up and get on with it unless you are completely loaded - if they were no-one referred to it. Also no-one discussed TB, malaria, where they got the water from when the well broke and the trek they must have made to get it.

There were too many shots of Kim looking anxiously at someone else - as though she was acting her socks off to compensate for the very little flesh to the character that was written in to the script. Kim can act, and is a very naturally beautiful woman, but this film didnt make the most of her. It was annoying in that she would constantly go to her 'son' and hide behind him, as though she didnt know where to put herself in the scene.

Kims character 'kuki' just began talking Swahili immediately! Where was the character build up, the interactions, the fear of being in a new country, culture and learning all about it etc?

Not enough was made of the other relationships Kuki was forced to make due to her husbands frequent absences. She had to deal with the local villagers, the staff, the vegetable garden, lions at night etc alone. Not enough emphasis was made of the locals, and their language, music, customs etc - which as a newcomer to a country you would be observing as you tried to fit in. Maybe I expected too much realism. As Paulo the husband says to Kuki, 'life has a different rhythm here'. He was right, but this film didnt show it.

I gave it 2 stars only because I love Kenya. If you want to see a better 'family relocates to Kenya' story then watch 'Nowhere in africa'.
- - A customer from South England
  - Posted 20 Jan 2007 10:40
More like this
View all
Showing 1 to 4 of 20

[+] [-]
Previous
Sword Of Honour

Sign up

Buy

Archangel

Sign up

Buy

The Door In The Floor

Sign up

Buy

Nowhere In Africa

Sign up

Buy
Next