The Sleeping Dictionary (2002)

Following the slumber-titled rom-com Sleeping Together (1997) and the Spanish drama Sleeping Beauties (2001) is The Sleeping Dictionary (2002). Wait, what? We’ve heard of going to bed with a good book but resting with a dictionary sounds beyond nerdy. That is, until you realize how this period piece defines its title. The R rated romance centers around a young Englishman named John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) who is sent to the jungles of Malaysia in the 1930s. There, he meets sexy native Selima (Jessica Alba). She lands the job of teaching the Brit a bit about the local language. In other words, the exotic hottie is expected to sleep with John since she is what they call a “sleeping dictionary.” If this is true, Mr. Skin would love to expand his vocabulary! Indeed, the sultry Selima winds up teaching Truscott a thing or two when she lets him kiss her nude boobs. Unfortunately, it is we who get a lesson in skinematic trickery because Jessica’s bare pair actually belong to a body double! The movie also includes Brenda Blethyn, Bob Hoskins, and Emily Mortimer’s fit figure! As Cecilia, John’s jealous wife, Ms. Mortimer peels off her slinky lingerie to seduce her spouse. The skintastic act means we are treated to views of her bare back and ravishing rack. And thankfully, these perfect peaks are really hers! Ms. Alba could take a page from Emily’s book by instructing us about her T and A. After all, isn’t that what a big dick-tionary is for?