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The Beach [2000]
![The Beach [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415XWKB4ZQL._SL160_.jpg)
After receiving a not-so-secret map to a secluded island from a stoned-out loony (Robert Carlyle, full of dark portent and spittle), Richard sets out to find the hidden paradise with a young French couple (Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Canet). What they find is a tropical commune existing in delicate balance with Thai pot farmers, and before long--as always--there is trouble in paradise. There is trouble in the movie, too, as DiCaprio is reduced to histrionics when the plot turns into a muddled mix of Lord of the Flies and Apocalypse Now, with shark attacks tossed in for shallow tension. Director Danny Boyle attempts perfunctory romance and a few audacious moves (notably DiCaprio's vision of life as a violent video game), but what's the point? Tilda Swinton registers strongly as the commune's charismatic leader, but her character--and the entire film--remains largely undeveloped, and pretty scenery is no guarantee of a laudable film. --Jeff Shannon
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Leonardo DiCaprio sought to distance himself from the cloying wholesomeness of his character in Titanic, and his role in The Beach is in many ways a polar opposite. As Richard, a young American seeking to "suck in the experience" of freestyle travel in Thailand, he is a chronic liar, a pot-smoking hedonist, an amoral lover and ultimately an unstable snake in a doomed Garden of Eden. This crazy descent might be expected from the filmmakers of Trainspotting, but The Beach is a movie without a rudder, venturing into fascinating territory, promising a stimulating adventure and then careening out of control.
i wish i'd read the book
Review date: 2008-01-17 Rating: 6 out of 10
ive heard eny good things about the book and i thought id watch the film first. I don't no about this film. there is something good and plausible about it nd it makes you want to believe that there are places no one knows exist but its also very unrealistic and the film doesnt cover all the topics it should. Parts of the film are left unknown to us and it doesnt do this film any favours!
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Reviews
Good
Review date: 2008-01-09 Rating: 6 out of 10
This is the only film where Leonardo Dicaprio didn't irritate the hell out of me.
It's good, I think you'd really like this if you're a keen traveller as it's all about soaking up every experience and not following the same old tourist route.
I definately enjoyed this.
Game Over...
Review date: 2007-06-19 Rating: 6 out of 10
I wish this film was good, I really do, I want to like it so much it hurts, but the simple fact is, that for anyone who has read Alex Garland's stunning book, it will only serve to disapoint.
Dont get me wrong, its a decently made film, although the "Hollywood" elements were a little intrusive, but I cant help but think a more faithful recreation of the book would have been more apropriate. Here however, Danny Boyle (otherwise one of my favorite directors, and well known for his collaborations with the writer) has seen fit to erase entire characters, events and ideas from the plot altogether. Where the book was rich in subtle nuance and character development, the film is simplisic and the characters shallow and unrealistic.
While I have no problem with DiCaprio, I dont think he is Richard, and especially not as an American, the simple act of switching his nationality erases some of the most interesting examples of character chemistry in the book (namely the meeting with Zeph and Sammy) and for no visible reason whatsoever, you have to wonder why they bothered.
Other elements overlooked include the Vietnam references, central to which is the chracter Daffy, who rarely appears in the film, but makes regular apearances in the novel as Richard's 'Nam-obsessed alter ego and makes for some facinating insights into Richard's mind.
I also found the alteration of the dramatic ending to be a terrible anti-climax, as the original is the most cinematic part of the whole book, and the intentional visual references to the final scenes of "Apocalypse Now" where the tribesmen ritually sacrifice a cow, is stunning and as dramatic a conclusion to a story as I have ever read.
To be honest though, there are that many differences, that many alteration and omissions, that to list them would take far to long. At the end of the day, when you change the story this much, what you end up with is another story altogether, and in that sense it is a mediocre one, and frankly doesnt deserve the "based on the book" subtitle with which it has been adorned. Likewise, the book itself should be stripped of all references to the film, lest people watch it expecting anything other that aboslute mediocrity.
Moderate Adaptation of a Best Seling Novel
Review date: 2007-04-10 Rating: 6 out of 10
The novel was a best seller whereas the film was a moderate success...just means that objectives were not fully met.Casting is OK with Di Caprio and Tilda Swinton well cast.The photography is breathtaking but the ending is very contrived.
a fantastic film
Review date: 2006-12-24 Rating: 8 out of 10
This film is so under rated, i dont understand the criticsm. Maybe this is coz i havent read the book, but i dont care, this film totally alters your mood.
so what if they cast dicaprio? i think he was perfect for this role. he is a very talented actor i cannot stress this enough. he just gets trashed coz of his good looks.
it's main theme is the human condition and ok its not on the level of say taxi driver with de niro, but it still offers alot to think about.
the visuals in this film are stunning to say the least. the soundtrack is also very good, with tracks from moby which really fit the scenes.
as i mentioned above, i think the best thing about this film is the state of mind it puts you in. sort of put me in a trance for a while, and it really inspires you to do something different in life instead of the same old stuff. THIS is whats important to me when watching a film, not special effects and lengthy action scenes.
the ending also leaves it open for a sequel, but i think it would be best left alone. i think in many years to come when dicaprio is an established legend, people which change their views about this film.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Guillaume Canet
Virginie Ledoyen
Tilda Swinton
Robert Carlyle
Leonardo DiCaprio
Creators:
Leonardo DiCaprio (Primary Contributor)
Tilda Swinton (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036004022
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2000-12-27
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 115 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000-02-11
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: Czech (Subtitled)