I Dreamed of Africa boasts the majestic landscapes and wildlife that explain why anyone would be spellbound by the place. But the story is fitfully episodic and the jerky editing doesn't help a bit.

It's neither epic enough to fulfill a grand scope, nor intimate enough to be an overpowering emotional experience.

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

I Dreamed of Africa is a rarity: A true story that isn't nearly as interesting as the fictional shows on neighboring screens. Maybe that's because the story behind the story never emerges.