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It is truly stunning and it's easy to see where the film's
tale of a tropical paradise lost could move from whispered
stories and legend into an actual place that Quixotic travellers
yearn to find.
In The Beach, a nearing-the-end-of-my-boyish-days
Leonardo Di Caprio is an American tourist who is keen to sample
a backpacker's life to the full - including drinking monkey
blood - and has a chance encounter with a mad Scotsman (Robert
Carlyle), who tells him of an island where he can find a secret,
glorious beach.
Given a map, Di Caprio's Richard buddies up with a young
French couple, the female part of which is Virginie Ledoyen,
and they set out to find this paradise.
Needless to say that along the way they strike trouble,
more trouble and even more trouble.
The Beach is billed as a thriller, but it is more
a tame Lord of the Flies with sexually active adults.
The photography is glorious, as is its transfer on to DVD,
and the sound is very good. The plot, however, is paper thin
and there are instances, such as Di Caprio's descent into
madness, where you have to ask: "Just why was that included?"
Don't ask me, I was just watching the show!
That said, The Beach is perfect viewing fare for a
wintry night when the sight of sun, sea and sand can overwhelm
your longing for a top-notch story, excellent acting and a
bit of suspense.
Conclusion: Movie 80%, Extras 20%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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