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The Beach
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The Beach (2000/I) More at IMDbPro »

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The Beach (2000) -- Twenty-something Richard travels to Thailand and finds himself in possession of a strange map. Rumours state that it leads to a solitary beach paradise, a tropical bliss - excited and intrigued, he sets out to find it.
The Beach (2000) -- Twenty-something Richard travels to Thailand and finds himself in possession of a strange map. Rumours state that it leads to a solitary beach paradise, a tropical bliss - excited and intrigued, he sets out to find it.
The Beach (2000) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
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Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   48,014 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 101% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Danny Boyle

Writers:

John Hodge (screenplay)
Alex Garland (novel)

Contact:

View company contact information for The Beach on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

11 February 2000 (USA) more

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller more

Tagline:

Paradise has its price more

Plot:

Twenty-something Richard travels to Thailand and finds himself in possession of a strange map. Rumours state that it leads to a solitary beach paradise, a tropical bliss - excited and intrigued, he sets out to find it. full summary | full synopsis

Plot Keywords:

more

Awards:

7 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(93 articles)

C'mon Hollywood #229
 (From JoBlo. 9 November 2009, 11:20 PM, PST)
Danny Boyle's next pic announced
 (From Corona's Coming Attractions. 5 November 2009, 12:40 AM, PST)

User Comments:

The Beach (2000) more (494 total)

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 141:00 PMFox   
Thur. Nov. 1910:00 AMFX   
Wed. Nov. 2510:00 AMFX   more

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Leonardo DiCaprio ... Richard
Daniel York ... Hustler
Patcharawan Patarakijjanon ... Hotel Receptionist

Virginie Ledoyen ... Françoise
Guillaume Canet ... Étienne

Robert Carlyle ... Daffy
Somboon Phutaroth ... Cleaning Woman
Weeratham 'Norman' Wichairaksakui ... Detective
Jak Boon ... Travel Agent

Peter Youngblood Hills ... Zeph
Jerry Swindall ... Sammy
Krongthong Thampradith ... Woman with Key
Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul ... Senior Farmer (as Abhijati 'Muek' Jusakul)
Sanya 'Gai' Cheunjit ... Farmer
Kaneung 'Nueng' Kenia ... Farmer
Somchai Santitarangkul ... Farmer
Seng Kawee ... Farmer (as Kawee 'Seng' Sirikanerat)
Somkuan 'Kuan' Siroon ... Farmer
Paterson Joseph ... Keaty

Zelda Tinska ... Sonja
Victoria Smurfit ... Weathergirl
Daniel Caltagirone ... Unhygenix
Peter Gevisser ... Gregorio

Lars Arentz-Hansen ... Bugs (as Lars Arentz Hansen)

Tilda Swinton ... Sal
Lidija Zovkic ... Mirjana
Samuel Gough ... Guitarman
Staffan Kihlbom ... Christo
Jukka Hiltunen ... Karl
Magnus Lindgren ... Sten
Myriam Acharki ... Beach Community Member
Andrew Carmichael ... Beach Community Member
Josh Cole ... Beach Community Member
Hélène de Fougerolles ... Beach Community Member

Bindu De Stoppani ... Beach Community Member

Stacy Hart ... Beach Community Member
Nina Jacques ... Beach Community Member
Sheridan Jones ... Beach Community Member (as Sheriden Jones)
Gunilla Karlson ... Beach Community Member
Sian Martin ... Beach Community Member
Isabella Seibert ... Beach Community Member
Elizabeth Thomas ... Beach Community Member
Michael Thorpe ... Beach Community Member
Timothy Webster ... Beach Community Member
Ramon Woolfe ... Beach Community Member
Saskia Mulder ... Hilda
Simone Huber ... Eva
Raweeporn 'Non' Srimonju ... Sumet
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Irmelin DiCaprio ... Woman in bar (uncredited)
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Directed by
Danny Boyle 
 
Writing credits
John Hodge (screenplay)

Alex Garland (novel)

Produced by
Andrew Macdonald .... producer
Callum McDougall .... co-producer
 
Original Music by
Angelo Badalamenti 
 
Cinematography by
Darius Khondji 
 
Film Editing by
Masahiro Hirakubo 
 
Casting by
Gail Stevens 
 
Production Design by
Andrew McAlpine 
 
Art Direction by
Ricky Eyres 
Suchartanun 'Kai' Kuladee  (as Kuladee Suchatanun)
Rod McLean (supervising art director)
Ben Scott 
 
Set Decoration by
Anna Pinnock 
 
Costume Design by
Rachael Fleming 
 
Makeup Department
Jutiporn 'Pie' Aranyaputi .... assistant makeup artist
Glenda Clarke .... hair stylist: Patterson Joseph
Nicola Clarke .... hair colorist
Mark Coulier .... prosthetics designer
Polly Earnshaw .... makeup artist
Watana Garum .... assistant makeup artist (as Wattana 'Keng' Garum)
Sian Grigg .... makeup artist: Leonardo DiCaprio
Jeerapa 'Aoy' Hassachai .... assistant hair stylist
Duncan Jarman .... prosthetics technician
Sallie Jaye .... chief hair stylist
Sallie Jaye .... chief makeup artist
Simon Rose .... prosthetics assistant
Tapio Salmi .... hair stylist
Jemma Scott-Knox-Gore .... contact lens technician
Matthew Smith .... prosthetics technician
Paul Spateri .... prosthetics supervisor
Barbara Taylor .... hair stylist
Barrie Gower .... prosthetic makeup technician (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Jo Burn .... unit production manager
Piya Pestonji .... production manager
Santa Pestonji .... production supervisor
Clare St. John .... post-production supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ussawadee 'Moo Dang' Eamsakul .... third assistant director (as Usarawadee 'Moo Dang' Eamsakul)
Nick Heckstall-Smith .... first assistant director (as Nick Heckstall Smith)
Tippawan Mamawee .... third assistant director (as Tippawan 'Paew' Mamanee)
Andrea Slater .... third assistant director
Richard Styles .... second assistant director
Charlie Sungkawess .... first assistant director: Thailand
George Walker .... assistant director: second unit
George Walker .... second assistant director
 
Art Department
David Balfour .... property master
Ray Barrett .... construction manager
Peter Browne .... stand-by stagehand
Penchan 'Pet' Buranasamut .... props buyer (as Penjan 'Pet' Buranasamut)
Stephen Challenor .... hod carpenter
Suriya Chaowanich .... greens department interpreter
Jesada 'Jest' Chitchaseon .... interpreter: props department
Sanong 'Nid-Noy' Chomtha .... dressing propman
Sumsak Chuenchooluck .... chargehand dressing propman (as Somsak 'Ood' Shuenchooluck)
Marlon Cole .... stand-by propman
Charles Cottrell .... stand-by painter
Fred Crawford .... hod rigger
John Davey .... painter
Jack Dyer .... construction buyer
Gordon Fitzgerald .... props storeman
Alex Garland .... cartographer
Louis Glickman .... model maker
Kevin Harris .... assistant construction manager
Robin Heinson .... painter
Nipol Hongsithipong .... dressing propman (as Sipon 'Ni' Hongsithipong)
Vasu Kantatham .... construction coordinator (as Vasu 'A' Kantatham)
Suttirat Anne Larlarb .... art department assistant (as Suttirat 'Anne' Larlarb)
Banchong Limtong .... dressing propman
Stephen McGregor .... carpenter: re-shoot
David Meeking .... hod painter
Pol Muangnum .... chargehand dressing propman (as Pol 'Paul' Muangnum)
Phred Palmer .... assistant set decorator
Phred Palmer .... buyer
Ross Palmer .... horticulturist
Boonsong Promjarune .... painter
Russell Prosser .... stand-by rigger
Mickey Pugh .... supervising stand-by propman
Tiwa Punprasert .... greensman: island
Pippa Rawlinson .... assistant art director
Denis Rich .... concept artist
Ray Roffe .... stand-by plasterer
Prapol Sangasai .... dressing propman (as Prapol 'Nong' Sangsai)
Visit Sathirakorn .... construction foreman
Toby Shears .... armoury props
Jim Stanes .... storyboard artist
William Stickley .... stand-by carpenter (as Will Stickley)
Kitiya Subpason .... assistant construction buyer
Narongrit 'Suea' Tangphoncharone .... dressing propman
Paul Tappin .... hod plasterer
Boontawee 'Tor' Taweepasas .... construction foreman
Gregor Telfer .... stand-by propman: second unit
John Wells .... props supervisor
Oscar Wilson .... scenic artist
 
Sound Department
Christopher Ackland .... foley editor
Peter Baldock .... sound effects editor
Paula Borham .... foley artist
Sandy Buchanan .... adr mixer
Derek Casari .... adr engineer
Adam Daniel .... assistant sound re-recording mixer
Graham Daniel .... sound re-recording mixer
Robert Farr .... adr mixer
Stan Fiferman .... foley artist
Steve Finn .... sound maintenance
Glenn Freemantle .... sound designer
Glenn Freemantle .... supervising sound editor
Susan French .... assistant dialogue editor
Nina Hartstone .... foley editor
Max Hoskins .... supervising dialogue editor
Alex Hudd .... sound consultant: dolby
Peter Lindsay .... sound recordist
Ray Merrin .... sound re-recording mixer
Nigel Mills .... dialogue editor
Malcolm Rose .... boom operator
Tom Sayers .... assistant sound editor
Lyle Scott-Darling .... assistant sound re-recording mixer
Jean Sheffield .... foley artist
Greg Steele .... adr mixer
Kevin Tayler .... foley mixer
Andy Thompson .... adr mixer
 
Special Effects by
Clive Beard .... special effects supervisor
Steve Cullane .... senior special effects technician
Ramli Bin Md. Derus .... special effects technician
John Fontana .... special effects technician
Darrel Griffin .... studio manager: CFC
Po Ketkorn .... special effects technician
Chanin 'Nin' Kitiwongsunti .... special effects laborer
Boonsong 'Song' Neamsaad .... special effects laborer
Nigel Nixon .... computer video playback buyer
Wiroj 'Roj' Nu .... special effects technician
Chalermpol 'Pol' Pan .... special effects technician
David Payne .... senior technician: shark
Anton Prickett .... technician: shark
Sutin 'Porn' Rakhan .... special effects laborer
Kevin Rogan .... special effects technician
Carlos M. Rosas .... senior character animator
Watcharachai Panichsuk Sam .... special effects administrator (as Watcharachai 'Samson' Panichsuk)
Ian Thompson .... special effects technician
Prajuab Yasuk .... special effects technician
 
Visual Effects by
Richard Clarke .... 3D designer: CFC
Dayne Cowan .... 3D designer: CFC
Adrian De Wet .... digital effects designer: CFC
Luke Drummond .... video to film editorial: CFC
Richard Ducker .... 3D designer: Framestore
Robert Duncan .... digital effects supervisor: CFC
Ian Fellows .... digital paint artist: CFC
Adam Glasman .... scanning and recording operator: CFC
Dan Glass .... digital effects designer: CFC
Sally Goldberg .... 3D designer: CFC
Ruth Greenberg .... digital effects coordinator: CFC
Jan Hogevold .... scanning and recording producer: CFC
Daren Horley .... 3D designer: Framestore
Drew Jones .... digital effects producer: CFC
Matt Kasmir .... video to film operator: CFC
Alec Knox .... senior technical director: Framestore CFC
Siobhan Lo .... digital paint artist: CFC
Scott Marriott .... scanning and recording operator: CFC
David Marsh .... technical director: Framestore CFC
Justin Martin .... 3D designer: CFC
Chris Monks .... 3D designer: CFC
Stephen Murphy .... 3D designer: CFC
Mark Nettleton .... digital effects designer: CFC
Tim Osborne .... video compositor: Framestore
Dominic Parker .... head of 3D: CFC
Alex Payman .... digital paint artist: CFC
Carlos M. Rosas .... senior character animator: Framestore
Geraldine Swayne .... video to film operator: CFC
Kat Szuminska .... digital effects designer: CFC
Jon Thum .... digital effects designer: CFC
Steve Tizzard .... scanning and recording operator: CFC
Gavin Toomey .... digital effects designer: CFC
Simon Carr .... digital artist: Hula Boy Ltd @ CFC (uncredited)
Oliver James .... research and development (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Joey Box .... stunts
Marc Boyle .... stunt coordinator
Gary Connery .... stunts
Jamie Edgell .... stunts
Eunice Huthart .... stunts
Pitak Janvijit .... stunt performer
Somjal Jonmoontee .... stunt performer
Seng Kawee .... stunt coordinator: Thailand (as Kawee 'Seng' Sirikanerat)
Natapong Pumchang .... stunt performer
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Marc Asmode .... camera assistant: Flying-Cam
Bob Bridges .... video playback operator
Stuart Bridges .... video playback assistant
Robin Brigham .... electrician
Narong 'Jom' Charoensuk .... rigging electrician
Andre Chemetoff .... camera trainee (as André Chemetoff)
Smithsuth 'Pop' Chesda .... gaffer: Thailand (as Chesda 'Pop' Smithsuth)
Ian Coffey .... clapper loader
Adam Dale .... aerial camera operator
Peter Davey .... video assist operator: underwater unit
Peter Davey .... video playback operator: underwater unit
Steve Davis .... gaffer: second unit
Shaun Evans .... focus puller
Christopher Goodwin .... camera assistant: underwater unit
Graham Hall .... camera operator: "b" camera
Graham Hall .... focus puller: "a" camera
Kittiwat 'Jack' Hanprab .... grip
Khanayutt 'Yoi' Ihamihe .... rigging electrician
Yothin 'Yo' Jaiboon .... practical electrician
Natta 'Nat' Janyersiri .... practical electrician
Kris 'A.' Khanchanaphet .... rigging electrician
Adun La-ong-orn .... grip
Brett Matthews .... focus puller: second unit
Andrew Mossman .... camera maintenance
Peter Mountain .... still photographer
Phil Murray .... grip
Giles Nuttgens .... camera operator: second unit
Voranon Paipad .... clapper loader: second unit (as Voranont Paipad)
Steve Pattenden .... rigging electrician (as Stephen Pattenden)
Gary Pocock .... key grip
Louis Prezelin .... camera operator: Flying-Cam
Peter Robertson .... Steadicam operator
Sommay Saengsinchai .... electrician (as Sommat 'Aud' Sangsinchai)
Veera Sakornkan .... electrician (as Veera Sakronkun)
Panya 'Bang Odd' Sangsuay .... generator operator
Tid 'Sun' Sarmsaeng .... video playback assistant
Alex Scott .... gaffer
James Scott .... clapper loader: underwater unit
Gordon Segrove .... focus puller: underwater unit
Robert Shacklady .... focus puller: underwater unit
David Smith .... gaffer: second unit
Charun 'X.' Srisumpun .... electrician
David Storey .... pilot: Flying-Cam
Arkom 'Tom' Tangkhatok .... electrician
Sombat Tiyasutthiporn .... electrician (as Sommbat 'Jime' Tiyasuttiporn)
Mike Valentine .... underwater director of photography
Jimmy Waters .... grip
Steven J. Winslow .... camera technician: Wescam
John Wright .... electrical rigger
Nathan Spencer .... consultant: wireless director assist (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
William Davies .... casting assistant: UK (as Will Davies)
Kate Dowd .... casting: Paris
Maureen Duff .... casting assistant: UK
Louis Elman .... adr voice casting
Raweeporn 'Non' Srimonju .... casting: Thailand
Krongthong Thampradith .... casting assistant: Thailand
Jon Nguyen .... casting assistant (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Pateeya Gunsrivieng .... laundress
Steven Noble .... costume supervisor
Panjaporn 'Imm' Pearkpun .... cutter/fitter
Supawan Rodkird .... costume assistant (as Supawan 'Toi' Rodkird)
Mutita Na Songkla .... costume supervisor (as Mutita 'Air' Na Songkla)
Rachanok 'Nok' Sup-Aree .... laundress
Kate Towns .... costume assistant
Natalie Ward .... costume mistress
Kowit 'Bom' Wises .... costume runner
Esme Young .... costume maker
 
Editorial Department
Denton Brown .... second assistant editor
Steve Harrow .... post-production consultant
Paul Knight .... first assistant editor: film
Yvan Lucas .... color timer
Catriona Richardson .... editor trainee
Paul Swann .... laboratory contact
Kathy Thomson .... digital colorist
Mark Waddell .... color timer
Neil Williams .... first assistant editor: film
 
Music Department
Hugo Adams .... assistant music editor
Barry Adamson .... composer: additional score
David Arch .... musician: keyboards
Angelo Badalamenti .... orchestrator
Clem Clempson .... musician: guitars
Geoff Foster .... score mixer
Geoff Foster .... score recordist
Ben Georgiades .... score recordist
Isobel Griffiths .... orchestral contractor
Jake Jackson .... score recordist
Will Johnstone .... additional programmer
Phil Marshall .... conductor
Phil Marshall .... musician: electronics
Gerard McCann .... music editor
Jenny O'Grady .... choral coordinator
Bill Pearson .... score recordist
Bill Pearson .... score synth programmer
Frank Ricotti .... musician: percussion
Patrick Russ .... orchestrator
Steven L. Smith .... music preparation
Mark Tucker .... music recording engineer
Paul Kegg .... musician: cello (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Phil Allchin .... transportation manager: UK
Arthur Dunne .... transportation coordinator
Woradet Em-Eam .... transportation captain (as Woradet 'Nui' Em-Eam)
Boriboon Jarurongkawatana .... transportation captain (as Boriboon 'Boon' Jarurongwatana)
Thanadech 'Ben' Thananorrakarn .... action vehicle coordinator
 
Other crew
Janpen 'Jeab' Artayakul .... production assistant
Daniel Bailey .... zodiac captain (as Danny Balley)
Teera Banditwong .... safety diver: underwater unit
Rhodes Barton .... zodiac captain
Carey Berlin .... production runner: UK
Judy Britten .... production coordinator
Charn Chatpatumthong .... craft service supervisor
Cornel Chin .... trainer
Orapin 'Tim' Chuenchorn .... production rushes courier
Sujin Chumnina .... location assistant
Sarah Clark .... unit publicist
Elaine Dawson .... accounting assistant
Michael Douglas .... dock/barge master
Penny Dyer .... voice coach
Andrew Eio .... computer playback operator
Dr. Timothy Evans .... medical consultant
Kathy Ewings .... assistant accountant
Cyril Gibbons .... health and safety consultant
Bill Glesne .... marine administrator
Christopher Goodwin .... diving supervisor: underwater unit
Dr. Nick Imm .... unit doctor
Bobbie Johnson .... financial controller
Steve John .... safety diver: underwater unit
Jenny Jones .... assistant: Andrew Macdonald, UK
Hilary Julian .... assistant marine coordinator
Lance Julian .... marine coordinator
Sharon Julian .... assistant marine coordinator (as Sharian Julian)
Sae Tang 'Keng' Kanokporn .... shipping coordinator (as Kanokporn 'Keng' Sae Tang)
Saipin 'Omm' Kitsuban .... production runner
Vernice Klier .... voice coach
J.C. Merrill .... marine engineer (as John C. Merrill)
Lulu Morgan .... assistant production coordinator
Zoe Morgan .... script supervisor: second unit
Virginia Murray .... production assistant
John Nixon .... armorer
Al Perry .... zodiac captain
Tom Pestonji .... production assistant: underwater unit
Porntipa 'Geng' Phanbai-Ngam .... assistant production coordinator
Chidchanok Plodripu .... assistant accountant: Thailand (as Chidchanok 'Pam' Plodripu)
Chantana 'Pan' Pongrojth .... unit nurse
Panotte 'Pong' Rattanajarn .... payroll accountant: Thailand (as Panotte 'Pong' Rattanajarn)
Claire Robertson .... assistant accountant
Phillip Roope .... location manager
Boonmee Saisom .... safety diver: underwater unit
Daraphan 'Aor' Sakornsathien .... assistant production coordinator
Somchai Santitarangkul .... location manager
Wannapa 'Gai' Sinthunawa .... assistant accountant: Thailand
Wongwatawat 'Goy' Siriporn .... assistant: Andrew Macdonald and Danny Boyle, Thailand (as Siriporn 'Goi' Wongwatawat)
Chaipron Songmuang .... marine assistant (as Chaiporn 'James' Songmuang)
Preecha Songsakul .... marine assistant
Nitad 'Lek' Srisomsap .... senior location assistant (as Lek Srisomsap)
Michael Sarun Srisomsub .... location manager (as Michael Srisomsap)
Caroline 'Caro' Tapia-Ruano .... cashier
Thanadech 'Ben' Thananorrakarn .... animal coordinator
Chan Thananuntasiri .... catering supervisor
Pantipa 'Ja' Thiemboonkit .... work permit officer
Hadyn Thomas .... safety diver: underwater unit
Lulu Thorpe .... assistant production coordinator
Michael Thorpe .... safety diver: underwater unit (as Michael Thorpe)
Françoise Valentine .... underwater communications
Doug Valenzuela .... zodiac captain (as Douglas 'Kino' Valenzuala)
Veeranand Vanijaka .... production assistant (as Veeranand 'Kong' Vanijaka)
Kevin West .... safety climber
Marc Wolff .... aerial coordinator
Marc Wolff .... pilot
Rob Wong .... zodiac captain
Anna Worley .... script supervisor
Singha 'Eka' Yotha .... production runner
 

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Additional Details

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, language and drug content.

Parents Guide:

View content advisory for parents

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English | French | Swedish | Thai | Serbo-Croatian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:18PL | Brazil:18 | South Korea:18 | Australia:MA | Belgium:KT | Canada:14A | Finland:K-14 (video rating) | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-16 (original rating) | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #36919) | Philippines:R-18 | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand more

Company:

Figment Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:

During filming, a boat accident endangered the life of several crew members, including director Danny Boyle and Leonardo DiCaprio. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. more

Goofs:

Continuity: During their stroll on the beach, Francoise and Richard walk along the water with Francoise on the shore side; yet in a close-up of her, the water is behind her. And again in the next shot Francoise and Richard are both standing knee-deep in the water, although they haven't been moving for quite a while. more

Quotes:

[first lines]
Richard: My name is Richard. So what else do you need to know? Stuff about my family, or where I'm from? None of that matters. Not once you cross the ocean and cut yourself loose, looking for something more beautiful, something more exciting and yes, I admit, something more dangerous. So after eighteen hours in the back of an airplane, three dumb movies, two plastic meals, six beers and absolutely no sleep, I finally touch down; in Bangkok.
more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Slim Shady Show (2001) (V) more

Soundtrack:

Spinning Away more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
26 out of 35 people found the following comment useful.
The Beach (2000), 24 August 2007
7/10
Author: Costigan_Corleone_Bickle from Canada

The first time I saw this film, I completely despised it. After seeing Danny Boyle's masterpiece, Trainspotting (1996) and reading the source novel (by Alex Garland), I decided to give it another chance. A second viewing was a good idea. By no means is this a masterpiece, but it's not the bomb it's made out to be either. The dialogue is the most damaging aspect, and it is undoubtedly weak. However, the story is compelling and the leading man (Leonardo DiCaprio) is as brilliant as ever.

The Beach is about an American explorer named Richard (DiCaprio). He is a hedonist, an outsider, and a fun-loving kind of guy. When he hears about a secret island paradise from a strange Scottish madman, he jumps on the opportunity to go there. He invites a French couple he has met in his travels, with the possible hope of getting somewhere romantically with the woman.

This is vastly different from the Richard that Alex Garland wrote in the source material. Garland's Richard is a polite, borderline selfless British traveler with dark hair. In other words, he's the polar opposite of Leonardo DiCaprio's self-involved adulterer. This isn't a drawback. Too many people draw novel-to-film comparisons, when the two mediums are far too different to be doing so. The Beach is a brilliant novel, and justifiably a cult classic. The film adaptation is compelling in its own respect.

The introduction is marvelous – a frenzied, gorgeously shot exploration of Bangkok on New Year's Eve, accompanied by Richard's introductory narration. Leonardo DiCaprio is the master of voice-overs, and The Beach is no exception. He captures the enthusiasm and wonderment of this character perfectly, and his voice is as interesting and expressive as any great piece of music.

When the opening titles are complete, we are under the impression that we're in for something great. The relationship between Richard and his new-found friends (the French couple) is very badly written, and a lot of the dialogue comes across awkwardly. The meat of this film is heavily flawed, as John Hodge didn't quite seem to know how to structure the story.

The weak second act builds up to a conclusion that's as strong as the introduction. Richard is overcome by an addiction to compulsive lies, and he is eventually forced into isolation. His mind has been twisted as a result of his obsession with video games and Vietnam War films, and he begins to lose his mind. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is the most riveting here… after the heroic artist he played in Titanic (1997), it's surprising to witness his portrait of this pot-smoking brat.

Although the script overall is the weakest link here, Richard is an intriguing character. He is completely immersed in the bliss of his own world, and he is seemingly ignorant to the effect he has on others. He likes smoking lots of weed, playing lots of Game Boy, and pretending that problems don't exist. Only an actor as talented as DiCaprio could keep us interested in this man.

Thanks to the outstanding lead and Danny Boyle's directorial finesse, this movie ends up being a fascinating mess. The soundtrack is memorable, the photography is beautiful, and some of the vaguely examined themes are chilling. This should have been a masterpiece, but the screenplay is lacking where many of the other elements are not. I would certainly recommend watching it with an open mind, but it's far from a great film.

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