The Beach (2000)

Admirable film.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I think this film is rather poor. I didn't like the soundtrack, it wasn't suitable and far too noticeable. I found the plot to be mediocre at best, but by far the worst part of the movie is the total lack of likeable characters. Except for the French guy I guess, all characters are utterly despicable with near to no redeeming qualities and they haven't been fleshed out that well. I can handle a film with unlikable characters and even love it sometimes, however in this film the other elements (plot, themes, fun) didn't counter this lack in well-developed or likeable characters. The cinematography was ok I guess and the acting was actually really good, as can be expected from Leonardo di Caprio and Tilda Swinton. But they couldn't save the film in my opinion.

In my late teens early twenties and somewhat with the world at my feet, an open mind, a list for adventure and travel. Very much did the beach inspire me to journey the world. A uplifting and energetic soundtrack score that mixes memories with belief and life. As we get older our innocence falls and we become a norm, Life kinda slows and we become set back and comfortable. The film shows life is for living. The natural beauty of our world is our paradise and the feeling within is our ultimate paradise. If u get the film it's all about living. Leo is fine and has developed into a tour de force actor. Tilda is super. A film that inspires adventure.

For starters it is a Danny Boyle film and that goes a long way, he is a great director...but Leo, oh Leo, you were miscast. That role was supposed to go to Ewan McGregor and had it kept the intended actor, it would have been a much different beast, and one far closer to the novel.Recasting Richard as an American, was in some cases, the biggest mistake. The insights he is supposed to deliver are more fragmented and make less sense coming from someone that isn't as close to Europe and the opportunities to experience the different cultures on a more regular basis.The book itself is about a traveler and American's hardly do that. Gen-X might, but that is about all, one Generation of hopeless wanderers since the Beat Movement.Still, despite the flaw it stands as a nice re-imagining, as a solid updated version of Thomas More's "Utopia." The monastery has been replaced with the commune. God with marijuana. The written correspondence with the internal monologue of a flawed protagonist. But the theme is the same. Utopia is no place. Void. It does not exist.And the movie does a good job of capturing the hope of a Utopian offer and then revealing the truth behind that veil.Had the casting been right, and not to say that DiCaprio isn't a great actor in his own right, but had the role of Richard been filled with the actor best suited for it, the film would have worked on a fundamentally brilliant level on par with Garland's source material.Still, DiCaprio is a competent actor and he did his best despite the fact the role was wrong for him. The faults are small, but for some not easily over looked.

Greetings from Lithuania.I always like "The Beach" (2000) more then it probably deserves it. I has breathtaking scenery, nature is itself is wonderful and it was wonderfully shoot. The story itself is simple yet more complex then it appears. This is not a straightforward adventure drama as it might look like, it tries to go a bit deeper, and it is even a pretty good character study movie. Movie also raises some interesting questions from words of its protagonist Richard, he also has some interesting thoughts during the movie about humans being as vermin - trashing this planet to its core. When heroes of this movie finds safe haven on earth, it is not as innocent as it seems. Overall, "The Beach" is a bit more then a simple straightforward adventure drama flick. Maybe sometimes it tries to do and show to much that it looses it excellent pacing and flow. But all in all this is a one hard to forget and not to enjoy movie experience.