The Beach | 
 enlarge | Director: Danny Boyle
Actors: Leonardo Dicaprio, Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Canet, Robert Carlyle, Tilda Swinton
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $4.05
You Save: $10.93 (73%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  247 reviews
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 119
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5 x 0.6
MPN: 2000177
UPC: 024543001775
EAN: 0024543001775
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Release Date: July 25, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
Leonardo DiCaprio sought to distance himself from the purity 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's 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. 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's trouble in paradise. There's 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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| Customer Reviews: Read 95 more reviews...
 Are You Aware This is Meant to Be a Creepy Psychological Film? December 25, 2008
Some posters feel the film does not make time lapses in the film clear enough, thereby making Richard's transition to insane unrealistic. While I agree this aspect could have been done better, I truly feel that if any intelligent person watches this film and puts themselves into the near total isolation of "The Beach", they would easily understand how many people would experience some level of insanity. I have not read the book and I am sure it is superior to the film (as most books later adapted to film usually are) but this film messes with your mind and makes you wonder...is anyone capable of losing their humanity under similar circumstances? I am left wondering why this film was not better appreciated.
Better than the novel December 18, 2008
I think it's interesting how many folks say they preferred the novel to the film. I read the book first, and as a longtime Thailand traveler, I found it very 'fake' feeling. To me, Danny Boyle and his screenwriter came closer to the feel of Thailand's backpacker world.
I also thought the film has considerably more dramatic arc to the story. Alex Garland's prose was pathetic in places. While not a five-star film, it was certainly entertaining. (I'd give the novel two stars, by comparison.)
 beach craze December 5, 2008
not the greatest movie but beautiful cinematography and a terrific collection of mellow mood pop electronica well suited as a backdrop for massage or yoga practice
 A Tidal Wave Would be a Blessing November 13, 2008
This flick has all the appeal of a dead cod in the July sun. No call for a synopsis, just opinion.
I can't understand how DiCaprio could have consented to work in this ghastly, draggy, ultimately meaningless vehicle. Must have had a boat payment due at the time.
Having seen him in "This Boy's Life" (and no, it's no mistake I laud that film, rather than "Titanic", I am cognizant of the rare genius he displays when working with a good script.
With this piece of tripe, he didn't stand a chance. Likewise Robert Carlyle, another very excellent actor. Castaways in a puddle of crap.
Definitely a disc to send off to the recyclers.
 the horror, the horror November 3, 2008
Near the end, I seriously started to wonder if it was supposed to be a spoof of "Apocalypse Now." A pretentiously bad film full of adolescent images and concepts. The acting is not great. Di Caprio's role becomes embarrassing. I suspect he didn't realize just what he'd gotten himself into while they filmed it. As you can see from the other reviews, the premise of Di Caprio's character had potential and a lot of appeal, but the story went completely lame, fast. This film is juvenile fiction that took itself SO seriously. Too bad it wasn't a spoof. Leonardo Di Caprio doing Martin Sheen. That's a pretty funny idea. Yes, it was.
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