Movie Reviews

The Beach

Once again, Hollywood has managed to take a great novel and totally destroy its depth, substance and story line. If you really want to experience The Beach, read the by Alex Garland.

Hollywood's' version has Leonardo Di Caprio starring in the leading role, probably to capture some of The Titanics' office draw. The rest of the cast is made up of smaller name stars and unknowns who all manage to pull off their roles relatively well, considering the weak script they had to work with.

The location in Thailand is gorgeous and probably the best thing about the movie. One wonders how many adventurers will set off to find The Beach as many tried to find the haunted woods from Blair Witch Project.

I just want to know why it is necessary to add lying, cheating on ones' partner and sex into this movie. The book didn't have it and there was so much substance and story in the novel that could have been added to the movie to make it work. If only Hollywood didn't feel the need to follow some sort of guide book which seems to think that a movie needs L, C & S to be a hit, I may have thought the movie was okay.

Do yourself a favor. Read the book and leave the movie to those who don't want to experience adventure.
(Sheila, Feb. 2000)

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